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LeeniNSTE^ 



MASSAGHUSETTS 



^ISrORIGAL ANB 



P 



iGTaREsaaE 




BY WILLIAM A. EMERSON 

AUTHOR OF EMERSON'S HAND-BOOK OF WOOD ENGRAVING- 
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF DOUGLAS, MASSACHUSETTS— 
F/TCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS, PAST AND PRESENT. 



ILLUSTRATED 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

LITHOTYPE PUBLISHING CO. 

GARDNER, MASS. 
iSSS. 



f ■"!• 



Copyright, fSSS, by The Lithotype Publishing Company, 



I.KOMINSTEU, MAfiS. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

DescriI'Tivk. Location — Extent — Boundaries — Surface — 1 1 ills — Scenery 

— Ponds — Streams. ------- 17-22 

CH.APTER II. 

Historical. Occupation of the town by Nashuah Indians — Purchase of 
the land bv the whites — Lancaster new grant — Copy of original deed 
— Principal proprietors — Early settlers — Incorporation of the town — 
Work of subduing the forests and making farms — Leominster for a 
long time exclusively a farming town — Destructive fires — Census. -3~-9 

CHAPTER III. 

Town Government. List of town officers — Sketches of town clerk and 

treasurer — Selectmen — The police, fire, and water departments. - 30-41 

CHAPTER IV. 

Churches. History of the First Congregational Unitarian — Orthodox 
Congregational — St. Leo Catholic — Central Baptist — Methodist 
Episcopal — Congregational Church of Christ, North Leominster. 42-5S 

CHAPTER V. 

Educational. History of the schools — Sketches of Dr. Field — Mr. James 
Bennett — Present organization of schools — Committee — Superintend- 
ent — Teachers — F"ield High School — Graduates — Public Library — 
Museum. ...---.. 59~S7 

CHAPTER VI. 

Patriotism. French and Indian war — War of the Revolution — Shays' 
Rebellion — War of 181 2 — War of Rebellion — Roll of Honor — 
Sketches of Soldiers — Soldiers' Monument — History of Post 53 G. 
A. R. — Woman's Relief Corps — Sons of Veterans — Old Military 
Companies. ----- • - S8-119 

CHAPTER VII. 

' irganizations. Secret, Mutual Benefit and Temperance Societies — 
Clubs — Town Im]M(>vement Society — Farmers and Mechanics Asso- 
ciation. .---...- 120-129 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Biographical. Sketches of prominent men now deceased — .\lvah Crocker 
— David Wilder — Dr. Charles Woodward Wilder — James H. Carter 
— J. C. Lane — Oliver Patch — Charles H. Merriam — William A. 
Nichols — Levi Goss — Joseph Cozzens — William M. Howland — Joel 
C. Allen — .^amnel Merriam — Maj. Joseph Tenney — James Burdett — 
Joseph S. Darling — Silas RicharcUon — Aaron S. Gibbs — Oliver G. 
Caldwell — .Augustus Whitman — Dr. J. M. Randall — Emery Tilton — 
William Tilton. ....... 13C-150 

IX. 

BiocRAi'HV HY Families. The Morses — Burrages — Carters — Hills — Jos- 

lins. ........ 151-177 



XII 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER X. 

Biographical Continued. Sketches of Joel Smith-Dana Graham- 
W D Somers-Hiram VV. Pitts— William Uurant-Samuel G. 
Wild?;4a?ob Colburn-Maj. T. S. Bennett-A. M. Polley-James 
BGalui -Philander Woodbury-Luke Wilder-Henry A Wddei 
-Mai. Amos Haws-Capt. Thomas Hills-Mcjses D^^ R'^haidson- 
James A. Richardson-Dr. D. P. Richardson-J. A. Kendall-Cha.. 
Carter— Jairus Litchfield— John Coolidge. . - - 17s 190 

CHAPTER XL 

Commercial. Banks-List and sketches of "ffi^^tTT.'jf "°Dr'ue7s^- 
Estate and Lisurance— Doctors— Lawyers— Dentists— Druggists 
Watchmakers and fevvellers-Printing-Photographers-Si.rveyo 
-Undertaker-Dry 6oods-Millinery-Cloth,ng-Boots and Shoes 
—Hardware— Stoves— Plumbing— Steam and Gas Fitting— Gro- 
ceries-Provisions-Markets-Market Gardening-Bakers-Furni- 
ture-Hair Dressers-Coal Dealers-Contractors-Express-Hotels 
—Painters— Paper Hangers. - - - " • ':)! -J 

CHAPTER XH. 
Manufacturing. History of the Comb Business-Present manufacturers 
of Combs and Horn Goods-Paper Making-Ta.mery-Boots and. 
Shoes-Pianos and Piano Cases-Children's Carnages-Rattan 
Works- Machinery-Woolen Goods— Chamber Furniture— 1 he 
' Harwood Manufacturing Co.-Musical Merchandise— Children s 
Tovs-The manufacture of white shirts— Lumber, Doors, Sash and 
Blinds-Apple parers-Paper boxes-Roller Desks-Enamel Works 
-Leather trunk handles— Fountain Pens— Miscellaneous— Leom- 
inster Gas Light Company-Leominster Electric Light Company- 
Electric Railway Company. - - - " " J- -yi 

CHAPTER XHL 

Conclusion. Sketches of Rev. Francis Gardner-Ward M. Cotton-Luke 
Lincoln-Maj. Seneca Colburn-Capt. David Allen-Charles Grout 
-Emerson Prescott-Joseph Haskell-Cyrus kinsman-Jacob Puf- 
fer-Bartemus Tenney-Barney S. Phelps-Porter M. Kimball-Dr. 
Daniel Farrar-Henry Steams-Col. H. D. Look-Joseph A. Look 
— Dr Sewall Richardson— Capt. Er Baich— George A. Bishop- 
Isaac Cowdrey-John Dickey-S. S. Crocker-Porter Piper-E. J- 
Marsh-Stephen A. Miller-Alanson Richardson— Wm. B.Whitney 
—Sumner M. Frost-Francis H. Shaw— J. W. H. Lawreiice— 
Clarence Kenney— Wm. Booth— Rev. Eli Fav— Nathaniel G. Wood 
—T B Grimes— J. F. Chatfin— Frank H. Pope— B. Marshall Pitts- 
Wilbur B. Tennev— Joel G. Tyler— Francis H. Colburn— Loring 
Sears— Tames C. Brooks— Henry Jackson— George Robbins— Geo. 
Reed— Wm. H. Vose. 296-320 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PORTRAITS. 

Allen, Capt. David . .298 S^"' ^:^rA^:V*A toI 

Allen Joel C. Frontispiece. Bennett, Capt. E. A. 104 

Ames, Thomas J. "4 g^""^"' -[r'^^p. . M 

Anthony, J. C. 254 Bennett, Maj Thomas S. 188 

■' Bigelow, Dr. C. E. 204 

Balch, Capt. Er 304 Blanchard W. D. 114 

Balcome, Rev. F. A. 54 Blodgett, B. F. 244 



PORTRAITS. 



XIII 



Blodgctt, E. F. 


244 


Boiitwull. F. N. 


210 


Howcn, F. C. 


66 


Boyden, C. C. 


198 


Brown, Capt. G. W. 


94 


Brown, Dr. II. R. 


204 


Buttinton, E. A. 


284 


Burclitt, James. 


144 


Burdctt, Wm. C. 


268 


Burdctt, H. C. 


3'8 


Biirrage, George Sanderson 


162 


Burrage, George Sumner 


300 


Burrage, H. E. 


217 


Burrage, William F. 


136 


Burr.ige, Capt. Leonard 


160 


Butterfield, Daniel 


98 


Caldwell, Oliver G. 


146 


Carter, Albert H. 


98 


Carter, Charles 


300 


Carter, James H. 


132 


Carter, Rufus H. 


98 


Chaltin, J. F. 


114 


Chase, William H. 


-43 


Clapp, Fred. A. 


246 


Colburn, Charles H. 


221 


Colburn, George F. 


30 


Colburn, Jonas 


182 


Colburn, Jacob 


1 88 


Colburn, Maj. Seneca 


298 


Conant, J. Q. 


220 


Conant, L. W. 


220 


Cotton, Ward M. 


298 


Cook, .Aldrich 


248 


Cook, George H. 


242 


Cook, F. II. 




Cook, Capt. L. A. 


104 


Cooley, Rev. H. E. 


54 


Coolidge, F. S. 


260 


Cowdrey, Isaac 


30S 


Cowdrey, Andrew W. 


98 


Cozzens, Joseph 


•36 


Crocker, Alvah 


'30 


Crocker, Clifton A. 


3'8 


Crocker, Lieut. F. W. 


3'8 


Crocker, S. S. 


308 


Crosby, John F. 


98 


Cutter, Dr. E. J. 


-04 


Darling, Col. Joseph S. 


144 


Davis, H. E. 


246 


De Hevoise, Rev. G. H. 


54 


Derbv, Cephas 


220 


Derbv, Charles H. 


98 


Derby. Henry K. 


98 


Donovan, II. F. 


214 


Dresser, C. E. 


2S2 


Durant, William 


182 


Earl, Thomas A. 


243 


Earl, William D. 


-43 


Ellick, Eli A. 


98 



Estabrook, J. W. 

Farrar, Dr. Daniel 
Farwell, Artemas S. 
Fay, Rev. Eli 
Field, Dr. C. C. 
Foster, C. C. i 

Foster, George W. 
Foster, Hugh M. 
Foster, Ira B. 
Foster, Martin F. 
Frissell, W. B. 
Frost, Sumner M. 

Gallup, George H. 
Gallup, James B. 
Gallup, Leroy R. 
Gane, George A. 
Gardner, Franklin 
Gates, Henrietta M. 
Gibbs, Gen. Aaron S. 
Gibson, Bezaleel 
Glover, Lieut. Alfred R. 
Goodhue, Joseph F. 
Goodrich, Charles A. 
Goodrich, Leonard 
Goss, Levi 
Gould, C. E. 
Graham, Dana 
Greenwood, M. A. 
Grimes, T. B. 
Grout, Charles 

Hall, George 
Hall, Dr. H. P. 
Hall, I. Freeman 
Hardy, Edmund 
Harty, William 
Harwood, N. 
Haskell, Joseph 
Haws, Amos, 
Haws, M. D. 
Ilaynes, Daniel R. 
Hills, Charles 
Hills, T. A. 
Holman, J. P. 
Horton, Rev. E. A. 
Howe, W. F. 
Howland, William M. 
Hudson, C. E. 
Hudson, F. W. 
Hunt, Charles A. 

Jewett, Wade H. 
Johnson, A. W. 
Johnson, William H. 
Jordan, M. L. 
Jorgcnsen, Capt. H. P. 
Joslin, Charles A. 
Joslin, Charles L. 
Joslin, Col. George C. 
Joslin, Maj. Elias 



216 
98 

94 

60 

66 

268 

214 

98 

214 

114 

3'4 

98 
188 

98 
288 

98 

66 
144 
298 

98 
244 

34 

98 

«36 

272 
182 
207 
3'8 
29S 

19S 

204 

66 

98 

34 

280 
300 
190 
252 
298 
29S 
207 
268 
84 
202 

'39 

272 
308 



24S 
98 
98 
98 
98 
30 
<7S 
104 
"44 



XIV 



PORTRAITS. 



Kendall, J- A. 149 

Kendall, J. Henry S4 

Kendell, Rev. S. C. 54 

Kenney, Clarence 225 

Kenney, Capt. Clesson, 198 

King, Charles H. 34 

Kinsman, Cyrus 300 

Kivlon, John 214 

Lamb, Charles A. 98 

Lane, Howard M. 30 

Lane, J. C. 132 

Lasselle, William A. 34 

Lawrence, J. W. H. 314 

Lawrence, W. F. 225 

Lewis, James M. 98 

Lockey, John H. 256 

Lockey, John M. 203 

Lockey, J. P. 260 

Look, Dwight B. 200 

Look, Frank N. 318 

Look, Col. H. D. 304 

Look, Joseph 304 

Lothrop, Philip 268 

Lyon, A. E. 210 

Marshall, James E. 9S 

Marsh, E. J. 308 

Mason, Rev. A. F. 54 

Mather, John 272 

Mayo, Hamilton 197 

McDonough, John 98 

Mellen, Capt. James ^L 98 

Meredith, Rev. Richard 54 

Merriani, Charles H. 135 

Merriam, Samuel 142 

Merrill, Amos B. 216 

Miller, J. D. 70 

Miller, 8. A. 312 

Morse, Albert G. 152 

Morse, Maj. Gen. Augustus 152 

Morse, Gardner 152 

Morse, George F. 154 

Morse, Ralph G. 152 

Munsie, David L 34 

Nichols, William A. 136 

Nickerson, D. C. 198 

Nirhs, Dr. F. E. 212 

Ni.Kon, C. F. 216 



(^sborn, Andrew B. 


98 


Owens, John F, 


98 


Patch, Oliver , 


132 


Paton, A. S. 


242 


Payne, Rev. E. B. 


54 


Phelps, B. A. 


298 


Phelps, Louis 


250 


I'eirce, E. F. 


217 


Pierce, Dr. George W. 


86 


Pitts, B. M. 


225 



Pitts, Hiram W, 184 

Policy, A. M. 188 

Policy, F. W. 114 

Porter, C. H. 246 
Porter, L. W. • - 260 

Powers, George M. 66 

Prescott, Emerson 149 

Prevear, Edward 207 

Proctor, C. H. 225 

Puffer, Jacob 300 

Railey, J. J. 114 

Randall, Dr. J. M. 204 

Ready, John C. 98 

Reed, W. S. 282 

Rhoades, Charles H. 3 i 

Rice, Rev. C. F. 54 

Rice, Charles H. 34 

Rice, George L. 198 

Richardson, Alanson 244 

Richardson, C. H. 212 

Richardson, Dr. D. P. 318 

Richardson, J. A. 318 

Richardson, L. A. 212 

Richardson, Lewis 98 

Richardson, Moses D. 194 

Richardson, Dr. Sewall 304 

Richardson, Silas 144 

Robbins. J. M. 210 

Robbins, \V. T. 212 

Robinson, Rev. J. B. 54 

Rockwell, E. M. 66 

Rockwood, Capt. G. W. 94 

Rodger, William 243 

Rollins, Edward B. 98 

Salisbury, D. W. 297 

Savage, Rev. William H. 84 

Sawtelle, H. F. 217 

Shaw, Francis H. 314 

Shiel, Rev. Daniel 54 

Sinclair, Charles H. 98 

Smith, Joel 17S 

Smith, O. H. 242 

Snow, John G. 98 

Spring, H. N. 114 

Somers, W. D. 182 

Stebbins, Rev. R. P, 54 

Stevens, Capt. Charles H. 98 

Stratton, Capt. J. A. 94 

Tenney, Bartemus 300 

Tenney, C. .'\. 246 

Tenney, Maj. Joseph 144 

Tenney, J. G. 198 

Tilton, Charles E. 34 

Tilton, E. B. 242 

Tilton, Emery 149 

Tilton, William 149 

Thompson, Jillijah 114 

Toulmin, Rev. W. B. 54 

Tripp, J. Q. A. 98 

Tyler, Joel G. 318 



PORTRAITS. XV 

Valpey, H. R. 254 Wilder, Henry A. 188 

Wilder, Samuel G. 186 

Wheeler, Dr. C. A. 204 Wilder, Luke 188 

Wheelock, Rev. Albert H. 31S Williams, A. W. ic,8 

Wheelock, G. H. 210 Whitcomb, C. A. 248 

Wetherbee, J. W. 248 Whitney, A. I,. 260 

Wild, Charles 216 Whitnev, F. A. 264 

Wilder, A. O. 207 Whitney, F. W. 268 

Wilder, Albert L. 9S Whitney, William B. 3r4 

Wilder, Dr. Charles W. 132 Wood, Charles B. 98 

Wilder, David 298 Woods, George 198 

Wilder, George E. 98 Wood, Capt. Leonard 104 

VIEWS AND CUTS. 

Residence of F. A. Whitney, Grove Avenue, .... j- 

Boundary Map, ( initial ) •----■- 17 

Monoosnock Brook, ........ |g 

Bird's eye view of Leominster Centre, - - - - - 21 

Old Tombstone, ........ 25 

Residence of Dwight B. Look, West Street, - - 26 

Leominster Centre in 1830, ....... 29 

Leominster Fire Department, ------- 36 

Water Works Elevations, ....... ^q 

Old Parsonage of Rev. Francis Gardner, - - - 42 

Residence of D. W. Salisbury, ...... ^2 

Rev. John Rogers' monument, -■■■■• 43 

Rev. Francis Gardner's tablet, ...... ^^ 

Rev. Francis Gardner's inscription, ----■• 44 

Rev. Abel Conant's monument, ..-.-. ^- 
Orthodo.x Meeting House, ------- 48 

C>rthodo.\ Congregational Church, ----.. ^g 

Fierce School House, North Leominster, - - - - 68 

Field High School Building, -..-... 68 

Bennett School, Pleasant street, ----- • - 68 

International P'air Building, ( architect's drawing ) - - 73 

Residence of ^L D. Haws, North Leominster, - • - - 80 

Residence of Hamilton Mavo, Esq., Pearl street, - - So 
Group of Relics from the Nluseum, ----- 87 

Residence of John H. Lockey, West street, - - 88 

G. A. R. badge, - - - - - - - in 

Residence of N. Harwood, Grove Avenue, - - - 120 

Frost Drinking P'ountain, - - - - - -127 

Old House of William Burrage, ...... i^s 

Old Church in Norton .Sulvcourse, ...... ,^8 

Birthplace of Ruth Kilburn Burrage, ..... 15^ 

Charlestown Ferry and residence of John Burrage, .... 16^ 

Homestead of Capt. Josiah Burrage, ..... 168 

Birthplace of the comb business, ( initial ) . . . 232 

Residence of A. W. Williams, Grove Avenue, :;32 

Diagram of old screw press, ..... J3^ 

Old comb tools, ...... 2jc) 

Horse power in old time comb shops, .... 240 

Valpey & .Anthony, Lynn Factory, .... 254 

Valpey & Anthony, Leominster Factory, - 254 

W. H. Jeweit & Co.'s Piano Factory, Allen's Block. JsS 

Children's Carriages, - - - - 265-266 

Bird's-eye view Whitney Carriage Co.'s Works, 267 

Leominster Worsted Co 's Mill, ... 276 

Merriam & Hall's Factory, North Leominster, 277 

P'aciorv of the Harwood Manufacturing Co., North Lcuminstcr, 279 

Factory of the W. S. Reed lov Co.. - ^ - - - 2S2 

Wachusett Shirt Co.'s Factories Nos. i and 2, - • 2S7 

Reuben Gibson House, .... 296 



PREFACE, 



Those who have never written or assisted in writing a historical 
work of any kind are not aware of the variety and amount of labor 
involved. In collecting the material for this volume the town and 
Church records, the Public Library and Museum, the files of the 
"Leominster Enterprise" and previous publications of a historical nature 
have been placed under contribution for all they contained to throw 
light upon the early history of the town. In addition to their acknowl- 
edgement I would also refer to Rev. J. D. Miller, to whom I am 
indebted for the preparation of the entire Educational and the greater 
portion of the Manufacturing Chapters ; to Hon. A. A, Burrage, James 
T. Joslin, Esq., Mrs. Clara A. Carter, and Albert G. Morse for valuable 
genealogical data, and to many others who have in various ways con- 
tributed to lighten my labors. The people of Leominster have given the 
work their cordial sympathy and support, without which it certainly 
could not have reached its present attractive form and ample proportions, 
for this and the unusually courteous treatment received I desire to 
express my personal thanks beyond the conventional forms of acknowl- 
edgement. The work is also largely indebted for its permanent value to 
the cheerful and ready assistance of Charles A. Joslin, town clerk, in ex- 
amining the records and in correcting and verifying facts and dates. 

In conclusion, I would say the publishers have accorded me the 
fullest liberty and, as a proper recognition of the fact, I assume responsi- 
biHty for all errors and imperfections which appear in the following 
pages. 

WILLIAM A. EMERSON. 



ERRATA. 

Page 22. Eighth line word ''furniture" omitted. 

Page 26. Fourth line for "1857" read : 1757. 

Page 84. In eighth line instead of "Rev. 'I'liomas (Gardner" read : 
Rev. Francis Gardner. 

Page 96. After "Roll of Honor Front Tablet," read : All whose names 

are inscribed on this tablet were members of the 15th Mass. Regiment. 
Page 107. In sketch of Col. George C. Joslin, eighth line from foot for 

"Charlestovvn" read : Charleston. Seventh line from foot instead of "upon be- 
ing exchanged returned to his regiment" read : Col. Joslin was captured by the 
enemy late in the year 1S63 and released in August, 1864. His regiment com- 
pleted their three years' term and were mustered out of service the previous 
month (July, 1864,) which caused his retirement from the army and return to 
civil life. 

Page 130. Si.xth line from foot for "veteran" read : vatman. 

Page 137. Seventh line for "Treasurer" read : Selectman. 

Page 145. Tenth line from foot for "now owned" read: afterwards 

owned. 

Page 149. Eighth line for "Emory" read ; Emery. 

P.4GE 167. iMfth line from foot for "John the second son" read : John 
the first son. 

Page 168. In sketch of A. A. Burrage, seventh line from foot, after 

"Boston" read : and two years, 1878 and 1879, in the Massachusetts Senate. 
Page 169. After the seventh line the following sketch of Charles Henry 

Burrage should appear: Charles Henry, the thirteenth and youngest child of the 
family, and one of the three suiviving children. He remained at home working 
on the farm and attending the public school until eighteen years of age. He 
then studied one term each at the academies of Xewt(jn and Lunenburg and at 
nineteen followed his brothers to Boston and entered upon a mercantile life in 
the store of Richardson, Burrage & Co. He afterwards went with Wilkinson, 
Stetson & Co., and Newton, Eaton & Co, and in 1853 became a partner in the 
firm of Hill, Burrage & Co., sub.sequently continuing in the firm of Burrage 
Bros. & Co., and in 1873 in the firm of Burrage, Cole & Tucker, now Burrage, 
Cole & Co Mr. Burrage is the only one of the six brothers who went to Bos- 
ton to live that remains in active business. 

P.'VGE 213. Last line for "Conway, N. H.," read : Conway, Mass. 

Page 223. Thirteenth line instead of "purchasing his present business 
of George A. Bishop & Co.," read : Engaged in business, occupying the old 
stand of G. A. Bishop & Co. 

Page 247. P'ifth and sixth lines from foot, should come at foot of the 
page and read : Last Sept. he (M. F. Morse instead of P. F. Lane,) bought out 
the Fitchburg Spirit Level Co. 

Page 254. Third line from foot for "J. C. .Anthony" read : J. S. 
Anthony. 

Page 314. Sixteenth line instead of "1S51" read : 1861. 

Page 319. Five lines from foot for "Loren" read : Loring. 

.■\dd to list of portraits James M. l^ronson, page 84. 



chapti:k I 



DKSCKII TI\E. 




EOMINSTKR is sitiiatv.'d 
in the northeastern ])art 
of Worcester County, 
Massachusetts, on the line 
of the Old Colony and 
h'itchburg railroads, five 
miles southeast from 
I'itchburg ; twentv miles 
north from Worcester 
and forty-six miles north- 
west from Boston, via the Fitchburg railway, and fifty-three bv 
the Old Colony. The township is irregular in form, with an 
area of about twenty-nine square miles. It is bounded north- 
erly by Fitchburg and Lunenburg, easterly by Lunenburg and 
Lancaster, .southerly by Lancaster, Sterling and Princeton, and 
westerly by Princeton, Westminster and Fitchburg. The sur- 
face in the northern and western parts is uneven and undulating. 
The hills are an even dozen in number, and are each ilistinct 
and separate. " North Monoosnock," " Higelow." "Carter." 
"Nichols," and "Houghton," in the northern part, "South 
Monoosnock," "Sheldon," " (lardner," " Haberrv," and "Long" 
in the central, and " Kock\ ," " Bee," or " Legate " in the south- 



l8 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ern. Seven out of the twelve have good roads over them and 
are easily accessible for agricultural purposes. 

The other hills are in some parts high and steep, especially 
North and South Monoosnock, and furnish very little of value 
except wood and granite ; other portions of these five hills are, 
however, accessible, and furnish excellent mowing land and 
pasturage. 

South Monoosnock, the highest point of land in town, has 
an elevation of 1020 feet above sea level, and about 600 feet 
above the common at Monument Square. The village of 
Leominster with this rugged hill scenery for a background, 
and old Monoosnock towering above his fellows, presents a 
picture of rare beauty. 

The southerly part of the town is principally plain and level 
land, light and sandy, and not suitable for grass, although there 
is some very good farming land in this section. The eastern 
part, through which the Nashua river passes, has extensive 
plains and intervales, producing grass in abundance without 
cultivation. Previous to 1838 there were no natural ponds 
wholly within the limits of Leominster. It included a small 
portion of White's pond on the east, and a corner of Chualoom 
on the northeast, but by the annexation of No-town the whole 
of Rocky Pond was brought within the town limits. 

The north branch of the Nashua river, originally called the 
North river, after the union of the several branches whose 
sources are in Ashburnham and Westminster, runs through 
the center of Fitchburg and enters the town from the north, is 
soon after joined by Baker's Brook, proceeding through the 
North Village, and in a southeasterly direction, is joined by 
Monoosnock and F'alls brooks, enters the town of Lancaster 
about a mile south of White's Pond, thence easterly and south- 
erly uniting with the true Nashua about a mile south of the 
Lancaster meeting house and forming what was formerly the 



DESCRIPTIVK. 



19 



Pcnecook, hut now the Xashua, they pass off together and unite 
with the Merrimack at Xashua in \e\v Hampshire. This river 
takes a serpentine course in Leominster, through a wide and 
comparatively level valley. The Hon. Charles H. Merriam, in 
his excellent Sketch of Leominster, in the Worcester County 
History says " The valley of this stream for a considerable 
part of the distance in Leominster is bordered on its southerly 
side by high, steep banks, which appear to have been made by 
the wearing away of the deep, loose, gravelly formation by the 
action of water in the time of freshets during the long ages it 
has been working. Some of these banks are as much as sev- 
enty-five feet high and are carved out as if done by the hand 
of art, leaving wide tracts of rich, level grass land, renewed 
from year to year by the overflow. The 'Scar' at the turn on 
Main street, near the North Village, is a sample of this work- 
ing. The river, at some places, is still busily wearing away 
these formations bringing down the trees with giant power and 
enlarging the area over which, in spring, it roams at will, fer- 
tilizing and making productive its domain. Nothing could be 
more grand than the thought of this silent but stupendous 
work, or more lovely than these dales in Summer." Monoos- 
nock l^rook is the ne.xt 
stream of importance, divid- 
ing the town nearly in the 
centre. It has its rise in 
"Rocky Pond," in Leomin- 
ster, flows northerly through 
the Leominster Reservoir, 
and through the southerly part of Fitchburg and back into 
Leominster, passing in a circuitous course, through the center 
to the Nashua below North Leominster. Its tributaries are 
Morse, Slack, Haynes' and Ouarter-of-a-mile Brooks. " Fall 
Brook" in the southerly part of the town is the ne.xt largest ; 




20 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESOLJE. 

" l^artlett Brook" next, in the southwesterly part and Chualooni 
Brook in the easterly part ; there are several other brooks in 
different parts of the town of lesser magnitude. Leominster, 
with all these natural features of hills, dales and streams within 
its borders, is in itself picturesque, and the surrounding scenery 
is noticeable for its quiet beauty. 

There are few towns so favored with pleasant and attractive 
country drives or whose inhabitants seem to appreciate them 
more. The number of fine horses owned in town is unusually 
large and the streets and roads are kept in admirable condition. 
Next to a neat and attractive residence, with well kept grounds, 
the Leominster man prizes his "te.im," and well he may with 
such o{)portunity to enjoy it. 

It has been remarked by one who has visited here, that " The 
average citizen is fond of that which it was not possible for his 
ancestors to obtain — comfort, and is not averse to adopting 
those things that ordinarily come under the head of modern 
improvements, whether intended to benefit the indiv'idual or 
the public. In town affairs particularly, he does not mean 
that it shall lack any of those appointments and conveniences 
that indicate progress, not that the characteristic feature of the 
l)lace is merely a spirit of enterprise, but a local pride which 
aims at the best ; for instance, the town wanted gas, and the 
whole amount of stock was taken on the street within thirty- 
six hours. It wanted water, and its water bonds to the sum of 
$150,000 were sold at a price and with a readiness which 
betokened the high character of Leominster credit." I think 
we may truthfully add to this one other feature just as express- 
ive of the true character of the people, and that is their inter- 
est in culture ; intellectual, religious and social. They have an 
exceptionally large and well selected public library, containing, 
as it does, 10,000 volumes. The privileges of the library are 
free to all. The reading room is well supplied with the current 



DESCRH^TIVE. 21 

newspapers and periodicals, and not the least interesting and 
creditable feature of the institution is the museum. The Pub- 
lic Schools are of the best. A well conducted newspaper is 
generously supported, and the six churches, of different denom- 
inations, are in a flourishing condition. The s(jcial qualities of 
the people find expression in tlie large number of societies and 
associations. 

Some of the peculiar features of the place are the nicely 
constructed and well kept sidewalks, the prompt and efficient 
police force, and an excellent Fire Department ; the latter sup- 
plemented by a good water supply, with fire hydrants in differ- 
ent parts of the town. 

In the matter of Railroads, Leominster has transportation 
facilities in every direction. Through the centre runs the Old 
Colony with five trains to Boston and also to the principal cities 
in Southern Massachusetts. The Mtchburg and Worcester 
division affording ample means of communication between the 
shire towns of the county. 

Through North I ejminster runs the I^'itchburg and Hoosac 
Tunnel lines with eleven trains each day to Boston and direct 
communication north, via the Cheshire and Central X'ermont. 
I'ast through trains are also operated by this line to Chicago, 
St. Louis and all points West. 

The Depot at the Center is an attractive modern structure, 
and well suited to the requirements of the place. The other 
principal public buildings arc the Town Hall, Allen's, Bank, 
Fosters', Wood's, Morse's, Cook's Monoosnock, and Hotel 
Blocks in the center and Kendall Hall in North Leominster. 

Monument Square is located in the heart of the business 
portion of Leominster and from the enclosure rises the granite 
s'laft that commemorates the valor of the soldiers of the late 
w.ir. This square is also the converging point of the five princi- 
p-il streets, Main, West, Pleasant, Central and Mechanic. Con- 



22 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

tiguous to it is the "common" with its walks, its fountains and 
its well kept lawn. Clustered about the latter and the square 
are the Town Hall, several churches and the representative 
business establishments of the town. 

The industries of Leominster are varied, including the 
manufacture of Horn Combs, Jewelry, Buttons, and a great vari- 
ety of fancy goods from horn, Children's Carriages, Pianos, 
Piano Cases, Toys, Leather, Paper, Leatherboard, office Desks. 
Shirts, Shoes, Linen and Woolens and Machinery. 

With such a variety of industries in a town there is very 
little danger of general depression of business. 

The place has grown rapidly during the past three or four 
years and is still growing. New buildings are going up all the 
time and are occupied as soon as completed. Manufacturers 
and Merchants are continually extending their resources and it 
would be impossible to find a community of 7,000 persons more 
really contented, prosperous and happy. 



CHAl^TKK 11. 



HISTORICAL. 




ME Town of Leominster has very little 
Indian history, although for many years pre- 
vious to its incorporation the parent town, 
Lancaster, suffered greatly from Indian 
depredations. 

The whole territory of the town was at 
one time owned by Sholan, Sachem of the 
Nashuays, whose headquarters were at Waushacum in Ster- 
ling. 

Very little is now known of the occupation of the land 
comprising the town of Leominster by these Indians, the tribe 
having ceased toe.xist in an organized form, before the Lancas- 
ter New Grant was much settled by the white man, and there 
is no intimation that the settlers were ever molested ; a state of 
things no doubt resulting from the fact that the courage and 
spirit of the tribe and its rulers was broken, and also that the 
land had been purchased of their chief, and paid for to his full 
satisfaction, thus giving no occasion for disputes or ill feeling. 
This first argreement was made in 1701, and the following 
is a copy of the Indian dcQ(.\ of the new grant, the bargain 



24 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

with George Tahanto and other Indians, for lands purchased of 
them. 

" Know all men by these presents, That I, George Tahanto, 
Indian Sagamore, for and in consideration of what money, 
namely, twelve pounds, was formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, 
sometime Sagamore of Nashuah, for the purchase of said 
township, and also forty-six shillings formerly paid by Ensigne, 
John Moore and John Houghton of said Nashuah, to James 
Wiser, alias Ouenepenett, now deceased, but especially, for and 
in consideration of eighteen pounds, paid part, and the rest 
secured to be paid, by John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, 
their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract of 
land on the west side of the westward line of Nashuah town- 
ship, adjoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most 
part on Nashuah river, bearing westerly towards Wachusett 
Hills and runs northerly as far as Nashuah township, and which 
lands and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said In- 
signe, John Moore, John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, 
their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever, and I, the 
said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to pro- 
cure an order from the honored General Court for their allow- 
ance and confirmation of the sale of said lands as aforesaid, and 
also that I will show and mark out the bounds of said land in 
convenient time, not exceeding four months, and also to make 
such deeds and conveyances as may be necessary for the con- 
firmation of the premises, and that also I, the said George 
Tahanto, do by these presents, fully notify and confirm, all and 
every, the said township of Nashuah, alias Lancaster, to the 
Inhabitants and proprietors thereof, according as it was form- 
erly granted to them, or their ancestors, by my uncle Sholan, 
and laid out to them by Ensign Thomas Noyes, and confirmed 
by the Hon. General Court. For the performance of all the 
above said, I, George Tahanto, have set my hand and seal this 



HISTORIC A L. 



25 



twenty-sixth day of June, in tiie thirteenth year of the reij^nof 
our Sovereign Lord, William the Third, over England, &c., 
King. Anno Domini, 1701. 

Signed and sealed in the presence of 
John Wonsqon, John Aquitticus, - GEOkCiK Tahanto, 

his O iiiiirk. his J mark liis O iiiark. 

Peter Puckataugh, Jonathan Wilder. Marv Aun.socamong, 



liis p iiiai'k. 



ln-i- O mark. 



John Guild. 
The above is a copy of the deed as it stands on the Propri- 
etor's records. The act of confirmation was passed by the 
"Great and General Court or assembly for her majesty's prov- 
ince of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England," in 1713, and 
in February 1814 " a committee was chosen to allot said land in 
lots of 40 acres to a share of the best land, and 40 acres for a 
minister in the most convenient place and if they find or know 
of a convenient place for a clay ground that it be reserved for 
the whole. All lots not so good in quality to be more in quan- 
tity, so as to be equal to 40 acres of the best land. Among 
the principal proprietors were the Peamans, the Sawyers, the 
Houghtons, the Osgoods, the Carters, the Joslins, the Whites, 
and the Wilders. 



As early as 1720 Gamaliel 
Beaman, Samuel Sawyer, Ben- 
jamin Houghton, David Os- 
good and Jonathan Osgood 
formed a settlement in that 
part of the grant which is now 
Sterling. 

In 1725 the first actual set- 
tlers were Gershom Houghton 
in the south and soon after 
James Boutelle in the south- 



J^^^S. /^^^S. 



6 DANIEL KNIGHT ^JgERSHOHHiUOhP^ 
^' VWHO DIED OCT. / iWHOOitOAWL \ 



ij AS Vol) XhE NOW SOO«Ct WIRE weI^ 
ft AS WE ARE NOW 3OT0U MUST 6s]4 



j:/?f. 



tiS^S 



westerly part of what is now Leominster. Gershom Houghton 
4 



26 LEOMINSTER, HISTORrCAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

built his house on the farm now owned by Mr. C. C. Boyden, 
his wife Tamar carrying in her apron the iield stones used in 
the construction of the chimney. After the death of her hus- 
band in 1857 she married Mr. Daniel Knight, and after his 
death ten years later, erected to their memory the double 
stone now standing in the northeast corner of the old burying 
ground. The cellar hole of the Houghton house still remains 
on Mr. Hoyden's farm. Seven years afterward Jonathan White 
located in the northern part. Soon after Thomas Wilder and 
Nathaniel Carter and others located in different parts. It 
would seem that the northern part was not rapidly settled for 
we find in 1733 there were but five families in that section, but 
in a few years this number was considerably increased. 

As early as 1737 the inhabitants became dissatisfied with 
their connection with Lancaster and, coming to the conclusion 
that they could conduct their own Parochial and Town affairs 
with less inconvenience and expense and that they could and 
would " Maintain a Godly Minister," they applied to the Gen- 
eral Court and after persevering effort succeeded in securing 
an act of incorporation of the Town of Leominster which was 
passed on the 23d of June, O. S., 1740, the same as the 4th of 
July, N. S., and exactly thirty-six years before the birthday of 
the Nation. 

It has been quite conclusively settled that the original pro- 
prietors were not the actual settlers of the new grant, but that 
their sons took up the inheritance of the fathers and entered 
upon the work of subduing the forest and making homes for 
themselves. They were doubtless young or middle aged men, 
intelligent and industrious farmers, and were possessed of the 
requisite energy which enabled them to succeed in any difficult 
undertaking. 

In the report of the committee sent out to examine the 
Lancaster " New Grant," it was described as " rocky and moun- 



HISTORICAL. -.- 

tainous. and poorly accommodated with meadow." This was, 
however, found to be hardly a fair estimate of the Leominster 
section, for if we except the small portion which is abrupt and 
mountainous, and the 2000 acre " Xo-town " tract added in 
1838. the land is. as a rule, very productive, and capable of 
producing a ^reat variety of crops. It required onlv the 
removal of the forests to reveal the rich plains underneath the 
growth of large white and pitch pines, the true alluvial mead- 
ows occupied by the rock maples, the buttonwood and elm, and 
the rich, strong soil of the uplands covered with oak, chestnut 
and walnut. On the site of these ancient forests are the flour- 
ishing fams of to-day. adapted to the various agricultural and 
horticultural productions, including all the different kinds of 
grain, vegetables and fruit. For several years large crops of 
grain were raised. A considerable portion of the soil was nat- 
ural to wheat, and wheat flour and Indian meal were raised 
and taken to the Boston market. Fla.\ was also raised by 
nearly every farmer in town, and many had flax to sell. The 
wives and daughters made cloth of it for the family, the latter 
going into the field to help pull it, and the boys learned to 
brake and swinge it. 

Very little manufacturing was carried on in town previous 
to the Revolution. The few instances we find on record were 
as follows : the manufacture of potash, which was undertaken 
by Thomas Wilder, Esq., one of the first settlers and continued 
some years afterwards by his son Thomas ; Jonas Kendall also 
manufactured the article, and also pearlash, for a number of 
years, and his wife made gingerbread to sell. The first tannery 
was built by Joshua Smith about this time. 

Hbenezer Wilder, of Lancaster, built and owned a eriNt 
mill,and Josiah White a saw mill, prior to 1740. 

In 1763 Mark Lincoln came to town and set up the business 
of clothier, constructing a dam and erecting a fulling mill. 



28 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

where the dressing of home-made cloth was carried on to great 
perfection. 

The comb business, which has since been an important 
industry in Leominster, was commenced about 1770 by Mr. 
Obadidh Hills, from Newbury. 

The first oil mill in town was erected previous to 1790, 
probably about 1785. It was owned by Hon. Jonas Kendall, 
and located on the Monoosnock Brook, near the Fitchburg line. 

About the year 1787 Mr. Ephraim Eager from Sterling 
commenced the manufacture of saddles, but failed to carry it 
on successfully. Asa Kendall, an apprentice of Eager, suc- 
ceeded his master and met with better success, continuing in 
business for fifteen years. 

The first paper mill was erected by Wm. Nichols and Jonas 
Kendall in 1796. 

Coopering was a profitable business as far back as 1800, 
many large loads of barrels being sent weekly to the Boston 
market. A large quantity of bricks were also made at that 
time. The manufacture of tin ware, stoves, metal pumps, 
wooden plows, baskets, brooms, straw bonnets and hair sieves 
was carried on quite e.Ktensively, but has since been discon- 
tinued. In 1811 Luke Wilder built trip hammer works and for 
several years made a.xes, scythes and other edged tools and 
sent them abroad, in every direction, especially to the West. 

In the manufacture of boots and shoes but very little had 
been done previous to 1800, except custom work. It was not 
unusual, in the early days of the town, for the village shoe- 
maker, who made and mended the custom shoes, to pack up 
his "kit" of tools and go from house to house making up the 
shoes for the entire family for the year. The first regular 
manufacturer was Joseph Conant, who, in 1810 began the man- 
ufacture of ladies morocco shoes, selling something like $800 
worth annually. 



HISTORICAL. 



29 



The incieasc in the population of Leominster has been 
very largely dependent upon the condition of its mechanical 
industries, there being only a very gradual increase in the num- 
ber of farm dwellings in the past hundred years. The town 
has suffered from fires several times, the most destructive of 
which were the burning of the Union Comb shop, the Stein 
way Piano Factory, the Harwood Leatherboard Mill, the 
Lockey Shop, the Hotel and Arlington Piano Factory, etc., (in 
the great fire of 1873.) 




LEOMINSTEK CENTER IN 183O. FROM AN OLD PRINT. 

The loss occasioned by this latter fire was fully ;g 100,000.00, 
and so severely was it felt that the town has not, until within 
two or three years, entirely recovered from the shock, The 
following statistics indicate the growth of the town from its 
settlement down to the present time. In 1725 there wore but 
two families ; in 1733 there were five ; in 1765 the population 
was 743; in 1776, 975 ; in 1790, 1189 ; in 1800, i486 ; in 1810. 
1584; in 1820, 1790; in 1830, 1861 ; in 1840, 2069; in 1850, 
3121 ; in i860, 3522 ; in 1870, 3894; in 1875, 5201 ; in 1880, 
5772; in 1885,5297; in 1888, estimated about 7000. 



CHAl^TKH 111 



TOWS' GOVERN MEXT. 




ANAGEMEXT of Town Affairs is 
committed to the hands of officers 
duly chosen. The annual meeting 
of the town for the election of 
officers and the transaction of town 
business is held on the first Mon- 
day in April, at which the following 
named officers are chosen : a Town 
Clerk and Treasurer, three Selectmen, three Assessors, three 
Overseers of the Poor, two members of School Committee, two 
Library Committee, one of Water Board, three of Cemeten.- 
Committee, a Highway Surveyor, three Auditors, a Town 
Agent, four Constables, a Field Dri\-er, three Fence Viewers, 
a Pound Keep>er. nine Surveyors of Lumber, fourteen Meas- 
urers of Wood and Rark and three members of Hartwell Smith 
Fund Committee. 

• A/'Js.uMtr,/ Ar fir S^/rttmrM : five Engineers of the Fire 
Department, nine Police Officers, a Keeper of the Lockup, 
a l>t»bation Officer, Sealer of Weights and Measures, four 
Registrars of Voters and three Weighers of Merchandise on 
Town Scales. The School Committee appoint a Superintend- 
ent of Schools and two truant officers. 

The officers of the town for the. present year are as follows: 



^^ ^ww^ 



\ 





CHARLES A. HUNT. 





GEORGE F. 



TOWN GOVKKXMEXT. 3! 

/"cTi'// Clerk aiiii Trcasitrcr, Charles A. Joslin ; Sflcctuicn, How- 
ard M. Lane, Chairman, Charles A. Hunt, (ieorge F. Cclburn; 
.■:/-s\>v\y.w/.s-, Alanson Riehardson, Cephas Derby, Hollis J. Divoll ; 
Overseers of the Poor, Dwight \^. Look, John Dickey, Charles 
V. l^oyden ; Se/iool Couiinittee, E. M. Rockwell, chairman, Joel 
D. Miller, Henrietta M. Gates, George M. Powers, Charles C. 
Foster, hVancis C. Bowen ; Library Committee, Joel D. Mil- 
ler, Charles C. Foster, James A. Stowell, Klla M. Wilder, I. 
Freeman Hall, Henrietta M. Gates; Water Board, Hamilton 
Mayo, chairman, (ieorge Hall, Joseph G. Tenney ; Cemetery 
Committee, Benjamin F. Blodgett, Jonas \V. Gates, Cornelius 
A. VVhitcomb ; Highivay Surveyors, H. M. Lane, C. A. Hunt, 
G. F. Colburn ; Auditors, (ieorge V . Morse, Hamilton Mayo, 
Aaron O. Wilder ; Toivii Agent, Alfred L. J^urditt ; Constables, 
Willard D. Blanchard, Charles D. Pierce ; Field Driver, P'rank 
PL. Buss; Fence T/W^n-, Charles C. Boyden, Isaac Cowdrey, 
Jonas VV. Gates ; Pound Keeper, Charles E. Dresser ; Survey- 
ors of Lumber, W . G. Derby, Aivin P. Henry, S. A. Meads, 
George L. Rice, James Skinner, A. PI Lyon, H. L. Hicks, Por- 
ter Osborn ; Measurers of Wood and Bark, Wm. H. Burpee, C. 
A. Goodrich, Horace C. Fuller, George L. Rice, L. E. Osborn, 
J. M. Robbins, Horace L. Hicks, W. G. Derby, Louis Phelps, 
James Skinner, William H. Harrison, J. O. Conant ; I/art- 
ivell Smith Fund Committee, Dwight B. Look, Mrs. ^L D. 
Haws, Mrs. Elvira Dodge ; Engineers of Fire Department and 
Forest Fire Wards, William H. Spaulding, Chief, Albert W. 
Allen, Charles H. King, Charles D. Pierce, Elmer H. Bates. 
Poliee Ojfieers, Charles 11. Rhoades, Chief, William llarty, 
William A. Laselle, David L Munsie, Charles A. (Goodrich, 
Charles H. Rice, Charles IL King, Charles E. Tilton ; Keeper 
of Lockup, Charles H. Rhoades; Probation Officer, Charles 
> H. Rice ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Charles H. Rice ; 



32 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Registrars of Voters, Philip Lothrop, Michael M. Madigan, 
Charles A. Chase, Charles A. Joslin, Clerk, by virtue of his 
office as Town Clerk; Weighers of Merchandise on Tozuu Scales, 
Charles F. Nixon, Edmund Munsie, Alfred A. Wheeler ; Snfer- 
intendent of Schools, I. Freeman Hall ; Truant Officers, Charles 
H. Rice, Willard D. Blanchard. 

TOWN CLERK— The duties of the Town Clerk begin 
immediately upon his election, and the administration of the 
oath of office by the moderator of the meeting or a justice of 
the peace. It is his duty to record all votes passed at the 
meeting at which he is elected, and at all other meetings while 
he continues in office, to notify all other officers of their elec- 
tion, and to administer the oath of office to all who appear be- 
fore him for that purpose, and to make a record thereof, also to 
record the oath of office taken before Justices of the Peace, to 
record votes cast in elections and make returns of the same, to 
issue marriage certificates, give burial permits, record births, 
marriages and deaths, assignments, attachments, mortgages 
of personal property, dog and liquor licenses. 

All records and documents belonging to the office are kept 
in the sole custody of the Town Clerk, and under his direction 
all such records or files are open for public inspection and 
examination and any one may take copies thereof. 

Nearly 44 years ago, at the age of 27, Mr. Joel C. Allen 
was elected to this office and for thirty-nine years he was annu- 
ally re-elected. During all this time he never once absented 
himself from the regular town meeting. Upon the death of Mr. 
Allen, the Selectmen, June 25th, 1884, appointed Mr. Charles 
S. Perry town clerk and at a special town meeting held Aug.- 
23d, following, Charles A. Joslin was elected to the office 
which he has since filled to the satisfaction of the town, who 
have honored him by a re-election each successive year. 

THE TOWN TREASURER receives and takes charge of 



TcnvN (.()\i:knmi:n r 



33 



all moneys belonging to the town and pays out and accounts for 
the same according to the order of the town or of its duly author- 
ized officers, and renders an annual account of all his receipts, 
payments and official doings. After serving as Town Clerk 
for several years Mr. Allen was also elected Town Treasurer, 
and served in this double capacity up to the time of his death. 

June 28th, 18S4, the Selectmen appointed, and August 2T,d 
the town elected, Mr. Charles A. Joslin his successor, he also 
has been re-elected Treasurer each year since. Mr. Joslin is a 
native of Leominster, son of Charles L. Joslin, educated in the 
Leominster schools, took a business course at Comer's Com- 
mercial college in I-Joston, entered the employ of Joslin & Wil- 
liams and, after working at the business a year, took the position 
of book-keeper in the office of the firm, which position he still 
holds with the present proprietor, Mr. A. W. Williams. 

THE SELECTMEN are, in their relation to the town, 
very much wiiat the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council 
are to the city. Generally speaking, it may be said that they 
are agents to take the general superintendence of the business 
of the town, to supervise the doings of subordinate agents and 
the disbursement of moneys appropriated by vote of the town, 
to take care of its propert)' and to perform many other specific 
duties. 

How.AKD M. L.VNE, Chairman of the present lioard of Select- 
men, was born in Epping, N. H., Dec. 12, 1833, educated in 
the common schools and at the New Hampshire Conference 
Seminary at Northfield, (now Tilton.) N. H.. came to Leomin- 
ster in the autumn of 1851, and worked at the Piano-forte bus- 
iness for his brother, J. C. Lane, and for Hale W. Tage of 
Fitchburg, until 1857, when he succeeded his brother in the 
manufacture of Piano Cases, in which business he was engaged 
for about twenty years. During the last nine years he has 
been the manauer of the Leominster Gas Works, being one of 



34 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

the original incorporators of the Leominster Gas Light Co., 
and one of its directors since its incorporation. He was also a 
member of the water board during the first six years of its 
existence, being an active member during the construction of 
the water works. Mr. Lane represented the district of which 
Leominster formed a part, in the Legislature of 1868, and is 
now serving the fourth successive year as Chairman of the 
Board of Selectmen. Married, Jan. 21st, 1863, Sarah B., 
daughter of James H. and Caroline Carter. 

Charles A. Hunt was born in West Boylston, July 19, 
1842, was educated in the public schools of that town, removed 
to Sterling, where he was engaged in the general store busi- 
ness from 1865 to 1876. The following year he came to Leom- 
inster, and for a short time carried on the same business in the 
corner store under what is now A. L. Williams & Co.'s, and 
was afterwards associated with Balch, Reed & Co., in the man- 
ufacture of buttons. Since retiring from business he has 
found employment, principally, in real estate and other trans- 
actions, buying, selling, building, etc. He is now serving the 
fourth consecutive year on the Board of Selectmen. Married, 
July 19, 1870, Sarah F., daughter of Leonard and Sarah 
Osborn. 

George F. Colburn, was born in Leominster, Jan. 21st, 
1830, educated in the public schools, and at the age of seven- 
teen went to Southboro, where he was employed in a country 
store. In 1850 he went to New York city, remaining until 
1855 ; returning to Leominster, he engaged in the store busi- 
ness with his brother, F. H. Colburn. In 1865 he became 
interested in the old established comb business with his father, 
Jonas Colburn, under the firm name of Jonas Colburn & Son, 
and upon his father's death, in September, 1873, continued the 
same with the estate until 1879. In 1885 he entered into part- 
nership with his son in the manufacture of musical merchan- 





WILLIAM A. LASSELLE. 



DAVID I. MUNSIE. 




CHARLES H. RICE 



WILLIAM nARTi 



CHARLES E. TILTON. 

LEOMINSTER POLICE. 



TOWN r.()\KKNMi:Nl 



15 



disc, the firm being A. \V. Colburn, & Co. In 1864, 65, 66 and 
6"] he served the town as Assessor and on the Board of Select- 
men in 1871, 1873, 1887 and 1888. In addition to his interest 
in town affairs, Mr. Colburn has always been actively interested 
in Town, State and National politics. He represented the 
town of Leominster in the State Legislature in 1878 and 1879. 
Married, Catherine E., daughter of Lowell A. and Hannah 
Newton of Southboro. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT. 

The police force, at present, consists of a Chief and seven 
men, two of whom are detailed for regular duty, leaving a 
reserve force of five men for special duty. The oflficers, in 
their efforts to prevent crime, particularly by the suppression 
of the sale of intoxicating liquors, are heartily supported and 
seconded by the town oflficials and the people. As evidence of 
this it may be stated that during the year ending Feb. 29th, 
1888, the number of arrests for drunkenness were 53, of which 
number 27 came into town in an intoxicated condition, and 
were arrested upon their arrival. This rigid and successful 
enforcement of the laws is due largely to the determination of 
the police to do their duty, knowing that the Board of Select- 
men will stand by them in any emergency, and having that 
confidence which can only come from an emphatic public senti- 
ment back of them. 

Charles H. Rhoades, Chief of Police, was born in Bos- 
ton, October 30th, 1833. He came to Leominster when 17 
years old and served three years as an apprentice with Isaac 
Cowdrey, the well known carpenter. In 1857 he went South, 
and was in Southern and Western States and Territories, pass- 
ing a portion of his time with the Pawnees and Uncas, until 
the fall of i860, when he returned to Massachusetts and settled 
in Maiden, engaging in the lumber, wood and coal business. 



■i^6 LEOMINSTER. HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

In 1870 he was appointed a Deputy Sheriff of Middlesex, serv- 
ing in that capacity until 1878. In 1879 and 80 he was Chief 
of Police of Maiden, and in May, 1883, was appointed at the 
head of the Leominster police, and has been unanimously 
re-appointed to the position for six consecutive years. The 
Chief gives his whole time to the duties of his office, and con- 
ducts personally all cases before the lower court. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Previous to 1846 the community was dependent upon the 
individual efforts of its citizens, armed with fire buckets, to pro- 
tect its property from fire. In July of that year the town pur- 
chased of W. C. Hunneman, of Boston, the first "water 
engine," which was named Torrent, No. i. It was a plain tub 
machine, without bell or buckets, and destitute of ornament. 
Mr. Ward M. Cotton had the general management up to May, 
1848, when a company was organized and confirmed by the 
Selectmen. Mr. Isaac Cowdrey was foreman, Col. Joseph S. 
Darling, 2d foreman, and J. C. Fletcher, Esq., clerk. The 
engine house was along side the old Town Hall, subsequently 
Gardner Hall. This company had no legal organization, but in 
May, 1849, a new company was formed and a Constitution and 
By-laws were adopted. This was the first regular organization. 
Its officers were J. C. Lane, foreman, Arthur Mechan, 2d fore- 
man, J. C. Fletcher, Esq., clerk, Leander Woods, treasurer, 
Ephraim Divoll, steward. Each member of the Department 
was allowed a sum equal to his poll tax for his services. In 
1850, Henry Policy was made foreman, and Wm. Hale, stew- 
ard. The sum of $500 was raised by subscription, and a bell, 
four buckets, an arch and a tongue procured. The next com- 
pany organized was " Union, No. 2," located in North Leomin- 
ster. An unusual effort has been made to get data relating to 
this company, but the early records and books have been miss- 



TOWN (;()\i:knmi;n r. 37 

ing for several years and the only events of interest relating to 
it are obtained from the records of the other company. In some 
cases the two were associated, as for example, at the time the 
Orthodox church was struck by lightning in 1850, both com- 
l)anies were promptly on hand, and subdued the fire. In con- 
sequence of this im|wrtant service, the Old Worcester Mutual 
Insurance Co., made each company a present of $25. About 
this time there was considerable interest in fire matters, and 
there existed a spirit of friendly rivalry between the two com- 
l^anies, the first actual contest resulting in favor of " Union 
\o. 2." by a few seconds of time. While practicing for the 
trial the members of "Torrent No. i "would meet at 7 o'clock, 
the time appointed, man the rope, start from their house, run 
down to the bridge over Monoosnock brook, put down suctions, 
lay off 250 feet of hose and pass water through the pipes inside 
of three minutes. Oct. 17, 1874, the whole fire department 
turned out for drill and practice. At the trial Torrent i Co. 
drew water from a hogshead, which was supplied from a 
hydrant, played through 200 feet of hose, and threw a stream 
of water 183 feet, 3 1-2 inches. Union No. 2 Co., under the 
same circumstances, threw a stream of water 189 feet, 4 1-2 
inches. The two companies soon after had a contest for a sil- 
ver trumpet, presented by N. G. Wood, which was won by 
Torrent i, and subsequently presented to W. H. Spaulding, at 
that time foreman. For several years the Hook and Ladder 
companies have had trial contests with out of town companies, 
and at the present time, Sept. ist, 1888, the Clipper II. & L. 
Co., of Leominster, hold the championship of the worUl. The 
contest, in which they came off victorious, took place on the 
track of the Agricultural Park at Worcester, June 2d, of the 
present year, the race being with the J. N. Grout, II. & L. Co., 
of -Spencer, l-^ach company was allowed 25 men ; 5 to stand 
at the truck and 20 to start from the stanil, and each were to 



38 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

splice their ladders and put a man on the stage 28 feet from the 
ground ; referee, Capt. H. R. Williams, fire patrol, Worcester; 
Capt. S. E. Combs and D. A. Barns, judges ; C. M. Mills, of 
the fire alarm telegraph, fired the pistol, and W. A. England 
was the official time keeper. The time made by the Spencer 
company was 61 2-5 seconds, and that of the Clipper just 
61 seconds. Upon their return to Leominster Saturday even- 
ing foreman Killelea and runner Fox were drawn around the 
square, with an escort, headed by the Leominster drum corps. 
The demonstration was one long to be remembered. The 
behavior of the company throughout the day was such as to do 
credit to the town, and at 12 o'clock all demonstration ceased, 
and those who regard the Sabbath were not disturbed. An 
unusual effort will be made the coming fall to relieve them of 
their well earned laurels, but the Clippers are having a new 
truck made, and e.xpect to better their present record, and hold 
the advantage already gained. 

The fire department has always had a good reputation 
for efficient and effective service, and its standard was never 
higher than at the present time. It is under the management 
of a board of engineers, who have in charge a good outfit of 
modern equipments, consisting of one steam fire engine, two 
Hook and Ladder trucks, and four Hose carriages. The board 
of Engineers are chosen in April, and appointed May ist, by 
the Selectmen, and are as follows : W. H. Spauldin^, chief ; 
Charles H. King, ist assistant ; Charles D. Pierce, 2d assist- 
ant ; Elmer H. Bates, 3d assistant ; Albert W. Allen, 4th 
assistant. 

Steamer Aurora, No. i., is located on Church street. 
Engineer, Wm. H. Wood. 

Clipper Hook and Ladder Co. No. i.,on Church street. 
Foreman, James Killelea; clerk, P. H. Killelea ; 15 men. 

Washington Hose Co. No. i., on Church street. Fore- 



TOWN GOVKKNMKNT. 39 

man, Walter H. Rugg; assistant foreman, ICrnest Perkins, 
clerk, John Wilcox ; 10 men. 

Always Ready Hose No. 2, on Church street. Foreman, 
Frank Gleason ; clerk, L. W. Lowe ; 12 men. 

Franklin Hose Co. No. 3, on Main street, North Leom- 
inster. Foreman, T. J. O'Brien ; assistant foreman, P. C. 
Chute ; steward, F. C. King; secretary, J. L. Jones ; 12 men. 

Torrent Hose Co. No. 4, on Church street. Foreman, 
Charles H. Pierce; clerk, Clarence N. Cozzens ; 10 men. 

The first Chief of the Leominster Fire Department was 
Emery Tilton, followed by Henry Stearns, D. B. Stratton, 
James Skinner, George R. Damon, 

William H. Spaulding, the present Chief Engineer, is a 
native of Rochester, New York, learned the carpenter's trade 
when he was 16 years of age ; came to Leominster in July, 
1865, and entered the employ of P2dwin Litchfield, but soon 
after went to work for Tenney & Lockey, afterward J. P. 
Lockey, then John H. Lockey, and more recently the Lockey 
Piano Case Co., and with the e.xception of an interval of a few 
months, has been actively connected with the fire depart- 
ment since 1866. 

WATER DEPARTMENT. 

The Leominster W^ater W^orks were built in 1873, and the 
town began furnishing water, Jan. i, 1874. The first action 
taken towards providing a water supply was in 1870, when 
Manson D. Haws, Esq., caused an article to be inserted in the 
town warrant, to see what action the town would take to obtain 
water. The committee to examine and report consisted of M. 
D. Hiws, C. H. Merriam, J. H. Lockey, J. C. Allen and 
Cephas Derby. Subsequently Mr. Lockey, declining to act fur- 
ther with the committee. Dr. G. W. Pierce was elected to fill 
his place and .Augustus Whitman was added to the committee. 
The necessary authority having been granted by the legislature 



40 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



the town voted Dec. 30, 1872, on a test vote of 249 yeas to 5 
nays, to proceed with the work, according to plans reported by 
their committee and chose a water board consisting of Emery 
Tilton, Dr. G. W. Pierce, for three years; H. M. Lane and 
George Hall for two years ; C. H. Merriam and \Vm. M. How- 
land for one year. The board 
was organized with C. H. 
Merriam, chairman, H. M. 
Lane, clerk, and \Vm. M. How- 
land, treasurer. January 13, 
1873, this board was author- 
ized and instructed to proceed 
with the work. A loan was 
obtained from the State Treas- 
urer, payable one third each in 
ten, fifteen and twenty years, 
at seven per cent interest. 
The C(jntract was awarded to 
Charles L. Goodhue of Spring- 
tield, Mass., and completed by 
him to the satisfaction of the 
town, Dec. 23, 1873, at which 



LEOMINSTER 
WATER-WORKS, ELEVATIONS 

S.MONOOSNOCK MILL ^°° ~;<^^^v 



f^ESERVQIR, 



RESERVOIR 
fKQPDS^O J JUHCTIONRtSERyOjR |.ft 



REinrRV0JRi 

MOUGHTON H'UL 

-C H U ALO OI^-PQN & 1 13— ^:i$< 

A. W POLLARD HOUSE 52. 
WEST ST. 

MONUMENr SQUARE 



PATOW MFO CO. SHOP -Z^ 



HARWOOD LEATHtRBOARDM'LLl93 



time the water was permanently let into the pipes. 

The water is taken from Morse brook about one and one 
half miles from the center, and has a fall of one hundred and 
eighty-three feet at the top of the curbstone around Monu- 
ment Square, with a pressure of about seventy-nine pounds to 
the square inch. The drainage area is 1.2 15 acres and the 
storage capacity of all the reservoirs is 150,000,000 gallons. 
The original surveys and plans were made, providing for four 
reservoirs, " Haynes," *' Morse," " Junction." and " Distribut- 
ing." Three were constructed and the fourth, "Junction," res- 
ervoir left to be built at some future time, if needed for storage. 



TOWN COVF.KNMENT. 4 1 

The aniDunt of water in the three reservoirs is adequate to 
supply j)rescnt deniands. The aecompanying diagram gives 
the elevations of the several reservoirs and points of land 
and other well known localities in town, with distanee abo\e 
or below the curbstone at Monument square. A sketch of 
Mr. Emery Tilton, the first Superintendent of the Water 
^^'orks is given elsewhere. 

Mr. Joseph G. Tknnev, the present superintendent of the 
Water Works, has occupied that position and has also been 
treasurer of the board since 1879. He was born in Leomin- 
ster, Aug. 5, 1825, educated in the public schools of the town, 
learned the carpenter's trade and began the business of carpen- 
ter and builder for himself, while yet in his minority. At the 
age of twenty he contracted to build his first house for his sis- 
ter, Mrs. Maynard, on Pleasant street, and soon after the A. (). 
Wilder house on West street. In 1850 he built a residence 
for himself on Water street, where he first began housekeeping 
and where he has since lived. In 1859, Mr. Tenney went 
South, but was sent for by Isaac Cowdrey to return and help 
him build a house for Porter M. Kimball. This he did, and con- 
tinued in business with Mr. Cowdrey for some time. In 1864 
he engaged in the Piano business with J. P. Lockey, and in 1867 
became the first treasurer of the Arlington Piano Co. In 1870 
he began outside, the manufacture of sounding boards, for the 
same company, erecting the building opposite his residence 
on Water street, for that i)urp()se. He was associated with the 
Stratton brothers at Strattons' mills in 1871, bought out their 
interest, and in 1874 entered into partnership with Captain 
Clesson Kenney, under the style of Tenney & Kenney, con- 
tinuing for five years, after which time the latter conducted 
the lumber business and Mr. Tenney gave his attention to the 
management of the Water Department for the town, 
(i 



CH.^PTKR I\'. 



CHURCHES. 

\--V^^^^2^X>^ EPTE>[BER 1743, the first cliisrch in 

iif ^ "^ KT^. - Leominster was organized and Rev. John 

\fc , /^___^ , Rocers. a lineal desc^idant of the martvr 

*'-^==^w >! lT^," - "^ jv ^ : :~i.: r.2~e. wi^ cMToained then" ♦^'^t 
^^ "^ -^\ 

^ -— -*,;--^ ^ ^:er The name at rr-e r.rs: 

\ w^ - ^x ... 

^< w^r^scc-: I I74i. 

.^ 7 * - - ^ y "30se oi 

/y^:^t\47^ _ _ .^ . -the 

^ -^r ,- " ^ '_ X- ~er oi writ !:5 old 

.-vaT" ' '' .-3s?^CS burvins: _ _ ^as tar 

enoi^h towsr - : "_j. _ ive 

a month s \^ ia xL. aI « j^ 45 icci lg ien5;th. 35 

acdrr:: _ '' ~xs rough boari;' — *"-: *- 

few \v :_ _^ : :^:a only a loose . : - 

or benches Tl?ere were no pews for several year? and the 
ootsidew;. - ^i and painted until 1755. 

was used not oal\ ; worship, but as a town hc-usc, ^iio 

the tc~ ~ - : " -_ in it for ov^r thirt\- years^ In 

1775:: :d«hi to the Baptist society in 

Harvard, tak^i down and carried to " Still River," and for a 
lixag time was nsed by ibem as a place o£ worship andl they 



CHL'RCHKS. 



43 




were about to build a larger house, when they moved the old 
one across the street, and fitted it up for a parsonage. On 
account of differences in opinion between himself and his peo- 
ple, about minor doctrinal points of religion, Mr. Rogers was 
dismissed in 1757, but about one-fifth of the society adhering 
to him, a " poll Society " was made of them by the Legislature, 
to whom he preached until prevented by the infirmities of age, 
and was dismissed by them in 1788. 

After the settlement of the controversy with Mr. Rogers, 
the church and town proceeded to the choice 
of a minister, and in 1762, Rev. Francis 
Gardner was settled as their secod pastor. 
After the dismission of Mr. Rogers from the 
" poll Society," that church and society was 
dissolved, and the members united with Mr. 
Gardner's church. Mr. Rogers died October 
6, 1789, in the 78th year of his age. The 
""^ -.^^^ marble monument to his memory was placed 

over his grave in the old cemetery in 1845 by 
a committee of the First Congregational Society, one half the 
expense being paid by the Hon. Walter R. Johnson, of Wash- 
ington, D. C. a grand-son of Mr. Rogers. 

Rev. Francis Gardner, was a son of Rev. John Gardner, 
of Stowe, and was born 
Feb. 29, 1736; was grad- 
uated at Harvard Uni- 
versity in 1755, and was 
nearly 27 years of age 
when ordained. He was 
.1 man of sound under- 
standing and great learning, a thorough biblical scholar, a dis- 
creet and prudent pastor, and a good sermonizer, but, accord- 
ing to Mr. Wilder in his valuable history, "as an orator, 



lii^^^sr 




44 



LEOMINSI'EK, HISTORICAL AND PICTL"KESOUE. 



Rev'"' Francis Gardner 

WHO DIED JUNE Z**- A.D. 1214-. 
IN THE 79^ YEAR OF HIS AGE 
HE WAS BORN FEBRUARY 2 bMM' 
ORDAINED A MINISTEf^OF TH§ 

IN LEOMINST^^^ 

DEC. E 25.- 1 jmm 

1NWHICHH16HLY IMPORTANT OFJ 
HE OFFICIATED UNTIL HIS DECE 
HE PflSJtSSED W AN EMINENT DEGREETttOSE DWBTIC 
AND SOCIAL VIRTUES WHICH ENDEARED HIMTO HIS 
FAMIi:^. GAVE HIMTHE COMFIOENCE OF H»S FRiEMOS 
AND THE ESTEEM AND RESPECT DFMIS PEOPLE. WITH; 
WHOM HE LIVED IN MUCH HARMONY, DISCHARGIN&' 
TO GENERAL SATISFACTION HIS MINISTERIAL AND! 
PAROCHIAL DUTIES 0UR1N6 A PERIOD OF NEARLY. 
FIFTY-TWOVEARS. IN TESTIMONY DFTHtiR ESTEEM 
FDHHISMAMYVIRTUES AND TO PERPETUATE THE 
fiEHEMeRANCEOFHISLDHCANOFAJTHFUL SERVKKJ 

THIS WQNUMCNT ,^^ 
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDIC 

BY THE 
INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF Lt OMlNSTSRj 



the Rev. Mr. Adams of Lunenburg and some others were 
far his superiors." Mr. Adams was not only a good orator, 
and a good minister, but he was somewhat facetious. On a 
certain occasion he expressed himself in language like the 
following : " Let Father Gardner write a sermon and let me 
deliver it, and we would beat the devil." meaning, undoubtedlv 

that the effect of such 
sermons thus deliv- 
ered, would be to con- 
vince the hearers that, 
whenever they were 
enticed by the adver- 
sary to commit sin, 
they should immedi- 
ately obey the pre- 
cept given by St. 
James ; "Resist the 
devil, and he will flee 
from thee." M r . 
Gardner died sudden- 
1 y at Watertown, 
while on a journey to 
Boston. June 2, 1814, 
in the seventy-ninth 
year of his age and 
the fifty-second of his ministry. He was buried in our old 
burving-ground and over his grave a tablet was erected bv the 
town to commemorate his valuable services and to express 
their gratitude and respect for him. It was during the minis- 
try of Mr. Gardner that the second meeting-house was built, 
the site, a little more than an acre, being what is now the 
common in front of the present First Congregational (L^nita- 
rian) Church, the dimensions being, probably about 50x60 



CHLKLHKS. 45 

feet, and fronting to the east At each end was a porch, 
and in each of the porches were two flights of stairs to 
the gallery. The expense of the house is not known, but it 
was considered a large and elegant meeting-house. It was con- 
sidered the town's property, and for fifty years the town meet- 
ings were held in it. In 1824 it was taken down and converted 
into a town house, and used as such for twenty-seven years 
until the new brick town house was completed in 185 i. 

Rev. \\ M. B.\sco.m, the successor of Mr. Gardner was 
installed in 1815. He was a graduate of Harvard Univ-ersity 
in 1802, and had been settled in Fitchburg. After a ministry 
of about five years, the connection between him and the church 
was dissolved March 2d, 1820. He died in 1845. 

Rev. Abel Cox ant, the next minister, ordained January 
24th, 1 82 1, was a native of Milford, New Hampshire, where he 
was born July 17, 1793. He graduated at Dartmouth in 18 15, 
and was preceptor of Groton Academy several years, while he 
was studying his profession. During the ministry of Mr. 
Conant, the third meeting-house was built by 
the town. Three more religious societies were 
organized, and three other houses for public 
worship erected. Mr. Conant died December 
6th, 1836, and was buried in the south-westerly 
part of the old cemetery. A granite monument 
was erected by the Society to mark his resting 
place. 

The present Unitarian church edifice was built by a vote of 
the town at a town meeting held on the 8th of December, 182 i 
The building was completed early in the fall of 1823. The 
pews were sold for S1600 more than enough to pay for building, 
and a portion of that sum was appropriated to the purchase of 
an organ. The bell, which, for so many years, on every Sun- 
day morning, has invited the members of all religious societies 




46 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

to the worship of God, was presented to the town by one of its 
public spirited citizens, Joel Crosby, Esq. Oct. 15th, 1823, the 
church was dedicated. 

On the 4th day of ]\Iay, 1835, the "First Congregational 
Society of Leominster," was organized by law, and the town 
ceased to manage its parochial affairs. In the spring of 1837 
the clock was placed in the tower of the meeting-house, in 
accordance with the provisions of the will of the late Joel 
Crosby, Esq., who, by the same will gave $1000, the interest 
of which, was to be used for the support of the parish. In 
1850 the meeting-house was finished up in more modern style, 
but its general appearance remained unchanged. Outwardly, 
the steeple of " beautiful architectural symmetry " remained 
untouched, as also did the clock and bell. 

Mr. Rufus Phineas Stebbins, a graduate of Amherst 
and of the Theological School at Cambridge, preached as a 
candidate in July, 1837, and was ordained September following. 
His relations wiih the Society were dissolved by mutual con- 
sent in 1844, he having accepted a call to preside over an insti- 
tution in Meadeville, Pa., for the preparation of young men for 
the ministry. 

Mr. Hiram Withington, his successor, also a graduate of 
the school at Cambridge, was settled over t^e church from 
December 25th, 1844, to July 31, 1848. 

Rev. Amos Smith became their minister November 26t 1, 
1848, and resigned September ist, 1856. From that time to 
September 2d, 1857, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. T. B. 
Forbush and Mr. Stephen Barker, at which time Mr. Barker 
was ordained, remaining until June i, i860. 

Rev. Eli Fay was installed June ist, i86j, and resigned 
April 1st, 1864. August 3d of the same year, Rev. J.)hn B. 
Green, a graduate of Meadville Theological School, Pa., became 
the pastor, remaining until June 20th, 1867. 



CHLRCflES. 



47 



Rev. E. a. Horton, a graduate of the University of 
Michigan, (with honorary degree of M. A. in 1880) and a grad- 
uate of Meadville Theological School, Pa, in 1868, settled in 
Leominster in 1868, remaining seven years ; was then out one 
year by illness ; three years at the old church, Ilingham, and 
was settled over Second Church, Boston, in 1880. 

Rev. William H. S.wage, a graduate of Andover Theo- 
logical Seminary, was settled in Leominster from Nov 1876 to 
Nov. 1886, when he accepted a pastorate in Watertown, Mass. 

Rev. Edward B. Pavne, the present pastor, is a native of 
Vermont, forty years of age, a graduate of Oberlin Seminary, 
preached five years as a Congregational minister in Berkely, 
Cal. After becoming a Unitarian he was settled at Springfield 
and Manchester, and Feb. 2d, 1S87 was installed in Leomin- 
ster. 

THE ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

In pursuance of letters missive from a number of persons 
belonging to the society organized Nov. 26th, 1822, (now legally 
designated "The Orthodox Congregational Society in the town 
of Leominster") desirous of forming themselves into a church, 
an Ecclesiastical Council convened at the house of Capt. Eph- 
raim Lincoln, Dec. 25, 1822. The result of this Council was 
the organization of a church, in connection with the Society 
then existing, with 10 members. To these were added four 
teen others who had been members of the First Concrretrational 
church, (Unitarian) who were received into the new church 
December 26th, on the recommendation of an cx-partc Council 
convened at their call. The Church thus formed worshipped 
in a private house, the same in which it was organized, for 
nearly two years. Their first meeting-house w\as built in 1S24, 
and located northerly from the common, about half way to the 
old burying ground, on land that was formerly owned by Eben- 
czer Houghton, and is now the Catholic Church on Main street, 



48 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



having been occupied by the builders until sold to the Metho- 
dist Society in 1837. Its second piare of worship was erected 
on its present lot on Park street, southwesterly from the com- 
mon (on land originally owned by Rufus Houghton) in 1836, and 
was dedicated Feb. 8, 1837. In May, 1850. this house was 
struck by lightning, and came near being destroyed. In repair- 




ing it alterations were made in pews and galleries. In Feb. 
1872 it caught fire from an overheated furnace and was entirely 
consumed. The society had previously arranged to build their 
present brick church the coming season, which was completed 
and dedicated August 19, 1873. It cost about $65,000, seats 
about eight hundred and fifty persons and is one of the finest 
country churches in the State. 

Mr. Phillips Payson, a son of Dr. Seth Payson of Rindge, 
N. H., the first minister settled over this church, was ordained 



CIR'RCIIKS. 



49 



Nov. ijtb, 1825, and dismissed on account of ill health April 
17th, 1832. 

Rev. O. G. Hluhard, of Sunderland, the successor of Mr. 
Tayson, graduated at Amherst College in 1829. He was 
ordained May 23d, 1833, and after a faithful and successful min- 
istry was dismissed in June 1851. He died in East Falmouth 
Aug. 14th, 1852. 

Rev. Joel S. Bincham, a graduate of Marietta College, 




Ohio, after a pastorate in Charlotte, Vermont, was installed as 
Mr. Hubbard's successor, December 17th, 1851. He closed 
his pastorate, which hatl been one of great success, June isl, 
1857. removing to Westfield, Mass. He was afterwards settled 
for several years in East Boston, Mass., and is, at the present 
time settled pastor at Traer, Iowa. 

Rev. Jo.sei'H W. Backus, the ne.xt pastor of this church 
and a graduate of \'ale. was installed January 14th. 185.S, and 
dismissed August 13th, 1862. 



50 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Rev. Horace Parker began his ministry December 7, 
1862, without a formal call or installation, continuing as acting 
pastor until May i, 1865. In January and February, 1865, 
with the consent of the church, he served as delegate of the 
Christian Commission at Meade's Station, Va. He has since 
done much good work as a minister of the gospel, in Ashby, 
Pepperell and Lunenburg, until obliged by ill health to resign. 
He is now a resident of Shirley, Mass. 

Rev. William J. Batt, a native of Fall River, and a grad- 
uate of Brown and Andover, was next installed as pastor, Oct. 
17th, 1865, having supplied the pulpit for some months pre- 
vious. His ministry was very successful in every respect. 
Mr. Batt was dismissed July 15th, 1874. He is now, as he has 
been for several years, chaplain and moral instructor at the 
State Reformatory in Concord. 

Rev. Henry A. Wale.s, succeeded Mr. Batt as acting 
Pastor. He studied theology at Hartford Seminary, Conn., 
and was ordained to the ministry Sept. 12th, 1866. He served 
this church from Sept. 1874 to Sept. 1877. 

Rev. Sylvanus C. Kendall entered upon the duties of 
the pastorate May ist, 1878. He closed his ministry here at 
the expiration of one year. He is a graduate of Amherst 
and Andover, and an able preacher. 

Rev. Gabriel H. DeBevoise, a graduate of Phillips 
Academy, Williams College and Andover Theological Semi- 
nary, was called to the pastorate January 26th, 1880. He 
accepted the call and was duly installed March 3d, 1883. He 
resigned May 25th, 1883, after a very successful pastorate, and 
was dismissed by council July i8th, 1883. He entered the 
service of the Missionary Department of the Congregational 
Sunday School and Publishing Society, where he labored faith- 
fully until the time of his present settlement over the Second 
Congregational Church and Association of Keene, N. H 



CHURCHES. 5 I 

Rev. Richard Meredith, the present pa.stor, was installed 
March 6tti, 1884. Mr Meredith is of Welsh parenta<;c. He 
received his education and training for the Christian ministry 
in his native land ; but preferring the United States as the 
scene of his publiclabors, he came to this country in 1862. In 
April 1863 he entered the Troy Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and spent fifteen years in the Itineracy. In 
1878 he accepted a call to the First Congregational Church in 
East Hartford, Conn., and after six years service there, he 
received and accepted a call to his present position. Of the 
members of this church six are known to have entered the 
ministry, viz : Thomas Boutelle, Artemas A. Wood, now in 
Lyons, N. Y., Fernando Putnam, who afterwards entered the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, Payson Tyler, who preached and 
died at Hardwick, Vermont, Francis J. Marsh, ordained at 
Upton, Mass., in 1875, ^l^o is now pastor of the Congrega- 
tional Church at Walpole, Mass., and Albert H. Wheelock, who 
was ordained at Topsham, Mc, July ist, 1888, where he now 
labors. 

ST. leg's catholic church. 

The first movement for the formation of a Catholic Church 
in Leominster, was made in 1849, '^y ^^e Rev. M. F. Gibson^ 
pastor at Worcester, Mass., who came here and said mass at 
the home of one of the Catholic families. From that time he 
made monthly visits and, as the numbers increased rapidly, 
pL-rmission was granted by the Selectmen to use the Town 
Hall, then (iardner Hall, and there services were held every 
other week. In 1857 the small meeting-house owned by the 
]iaj)tist Society, on North Main street, near the North Village, 
was purchased and fitted up for worship. At this time I''itcli- 
burg was assigned a resident jiastor. (Re\'. M. V. Gibson) and 
Leominster was made a part of that i)arish, and was attended 



52 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

by F"ather Gibson until 1856, Rev. Edward Turpin until 1866, 
and Rev. C. M. Foley until 1872, when Leominster was made 
an independent parish with the present efificient pastor, the 
Rev. Daniel Shiel. Father Shiel completed his studies at St. 
Carlow, Ireland, and was the first priest ordained by the Rt. 
Rev. P. T. O'Reilly. The present church and a parsonage were 
purchased of the Methodist Society in 1871. In 1876 this 
church was remodelled and much enlarged, so as to give a seat- 
ing capacity of 800, making a fine church edifice. In 1882 the 
old parsonage building was moved from its location on Main 
street adjoining the church, and a new and attractive modern 
structure erected on its site. When the parish was established 
and Father Shell appointed (in 1873) the church was dedicated 
to Almighty God, under the patronage of St. Leb. It is now 
a large and flourishing parish. 

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

Early in the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Rascom, those per- 
sons, in town, who embraced Baptist views, united with the 
Baptist Society in Holden. In August 1822 those who had 
joined the Holden church, with others to the number of sixty- 
five, were dismissed to form a church in Princeton. The mem- 
bers living in Leominster were constituted a branch with the 
privilege of sustaining a minister, and a Calvanistic Baptist 
Society was formed in 1824, by David Allen and nine others. 
The Branch Church was publicly organized as a distinct and 
independent Church of Christ in 1837. This church was dis- 
solved Oct. 27th, 1849, and a church, principally composed of 
members of the old church, was constituted March loth, 1850. 
It was named "The Central Baptist Church of Leominster." 
A new Society had been organized three months previous. 
The first place of worship was the old John Richardson tailor 
shop on Main street. Its first meeting-house was built by 



CHURCHES. 



53 



Capt. David Allen, and located on the plain near North Leom- 
inster, on land now occupied for a residence by S. A. Meads. 
It was dedicated in June 1832, and occupied by them until 
1849. It was afterwards owned by the Catholic Society until 
they purchased their present house of worship on Main street. 
At present it is occupied by the said Meade as a barn and car- 
penter's shop. The present church edifice in the center of the 
town, facing the common, was erected on land purchased of the 
First Congregational (Unitarian) Society in 1849, ^^'^ was dedi- 
cated in January 1850. The ministers by whom the people 
were supplied with preaching prior to the formation of the 
" Central " Church were (as nearly as can be learned) as fol- 
lows : Rev.'s John Walker, A. Sampson, Elisha Andrews, 
Nicholas Branch, Elias McGregory, Luther Goddard, Josiah 
C. Carpenter, David Taylor and B. H. Clift. At the organiza- 
tion of the "Central Baptist Church," (March 10, 1850,) the 
Rev. A. M. Swain was chosen pastor, the call being dated 
April 27th. He continued pastor until Nov. 1854. Rev. A. 
C. Bronson, his successor, served from Dec. 1854, until June 
i<S57. The Rev. Isaac Woodbury served the church one year, 
beginning Sept. 6ih, 1857. Rev. A. M. Higgins accepted the 
call of the church May ist, 1859, remaining thirteen months, 
l-'or about a year after this, the church was supplied by Joseph 
Barber, then a student at Worcester. In January, 1862, the 
Rc\. \\ . H. \\'ats(Mi, commenced a pastorate of three years 
and a half. Rev. A. L. i^'ittz supplied the church from July 
1865 until Jan. ist, 1866, when Rev. Abijah Hall of Attleboro, 
became their pastor. In July, 1868, he was succeeded by Rev. 
Thomas Clarkson Russell, who remained until April i, 1874. 
Rev. A. F. Mason was settled November 5th, 1874, remaining 
until April 23d, 1876. Rev. O. I). Kimball was i)astor from 
.Sept. 3d, 1876, to Feb. 4th, 1883; Rev. A. L. Freeman from 
Feb. 24th, 1884 until July 29th, 18S6. 



54 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Rev. Julius B. Robinson, the present pastor, was born in 
Lebanon, Conn. He graduated at Newton Theological Insti- 
tute in June, 1873, and was ordained at Milford, Mass., July 2d 
of the same year. He has since been settled at Fisherville, 
since re-named Penacook, N. H., at West Springfield, Mass., 
and in New York city, " Riverside" church, corner Broadway 
and Eighty-sixth street. His pastorate began Nov. 7th, 1886. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This Society was formed March 27th, 1823, at the residence 
of Nathan Stratton. John Stratton was chosen clerk, but the 
church was not legally organized until March loth, 1828. Its 
first meeting-house, standing at the corner of Prospect and 
Harvard streets, and at present used for a dwelling-house, was 
dedicated in December, 1829, and was used until the Society 
removed to the house purchased of the Evangelical Society in 
January 1839. The Society enlarged the last named house in 
1849, erecting a steeple, etc. In 1871 the Society sold this 
house to the Catholic Bishop and removed to its present hand- 
some church edifice on Main street. This house was erected 
at a cost of $65000.00, and has a seating capacity of 800. The 
ministers of this Society, being of the itinerant order, have 
remained only for short periods, and have, consequently, been 
somewhat numerous. At first the ministers were circuit 
preachers and hence there were frequently two or three at a 
time. The dates of settlement cannot, in many instances, be 
obtained, but we are able to give what is belie v^ed to be a com- 
plete list of ministers who have preached since the Society 
was established. In explanation it may be said that previous 
to '46 this church was either on a circuit or was a mission sta- 
tion. In '23 the first Society was formed by Erastus Otis, 
who with George Fairbanks, were stationed on the Needham 
circuit, with which, it is supposed Leominster was connected 




Rev. E. B. PAYNE. 




1^ p. STE3BINS. 






L* 



Rev. R. MEREDITH. 



REV. J. B. ROBINSON. 



r 





REV. DANIEL SHEIL. 



REV. F. A. BALCOM. 



V 





REV. G. H. DEBEVOISE. 



REV. W. B. TOULMIN. 



Rev. a. F. MAsON. 




Rtv. H. £. COOLEY. 



CHURCHES. 55 

until '34, when it was jirobably connected with the Marlboro 
Circuit. In '31 Leominster was probably connected with 
Lunenbur*;, in ' ^,6 with Fitchburg, and from '36 to '39 with 
Lunenburg and Marlboro, when it was probably again con- 
nected with Lunenburg ; in '40 with Marlboro and F'itchburg 
mission. In '41 it was Leominster and Lunenburg ; in '42 
Lunenburg and Leominster, in '43 Leominster and Sterling 
missions, in '44-5 it was a missionary station by itself, and after 
that a regular station. The list of ministers is as follows : '23, 
I'>astus Otis and George E. Fairbanks . '24, Benjamin Hazel- 
ton, John C. Risley and Ira M. Bidwell ; '25, John Lindsay 
Jared Perkins and H. S. Ramsdell ; '26, Joel Steele, Jared 
I'erkins and Leonard B. Griffin ; '27, Abraham D. Merrill, 
(jiles Campbell and Thomas W. Tucker, supernumary ; '28, 
l^phraim K. Av^ery, Thos. W. Tucker and Lewis Johnson ; '29, 
Daniel Fillmore, Isaac Jennison and A. B. Kinsman ; '30, Dan- 
iel Filmore, and Isaac Jennison ; '31, Jacob Sanborn and San- 
ford Benton ; '32, Abraham D. Merrill and Samuel Cogg- 
shall ; '^;^, Isaac Jennison ; '34, Charles Virgin ; '35, Thomas 
W. Tucker and Joel Knight ; '36, J. S. Ellis ; '^y, Charles 
Virgin, William P. White and Ebenezer F. Newell, supernum- 
ary ; '38, Horace Moulton and Ephraim Culver, Jr.; '39, 
Willard Smith ; '40, Benjamin Paine and Willard Smith , 
'41, Benjamin Paine and Samuel Heath ; '42, Samuel 
Heath and William A. Clapp ; '43, Horace Moulton; '44-5, 
Thomas H. Mudge ; 46, John C. Ingalls ; '47-8, Z. B. C. Dun- 
ham ; '49-50, Samuel Tupper ; '51-2, Daniel Steele; 53-4, 
Zachariah A. Mudge ; '55, Nathan Soule ; '56-7, Cyrus L. 
l':astman ; '58-9, John Middleton ; '60, Charles Miller ; '61, 
Jabez W. P. Jordan ; '62. Jabez W. P. Jordan and H. M. Loud ; 
'63, M. M. Parkhurst ; '64, Jonas M. Bailey ; 65-6, Thomas J. 
Abbott ; '67-8, Converse L. Macurdy ; '69-70-71, John Peter- 
•son ; '72-3, Joseph H. Mansfield; '74-5-6, Alfred A. Wright ; 



56 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

'-j-j, M. Emory Wright ; '78-9-80, Ebenezer A. Smith ; '81-2-3, 
William B. Toulmin ; '84, M. H. A. Evans ; '85, Henry Lum- 
mis ; '86-7, Charles W. Wilder ; '88, Charles F. Rice. 

Rev. Charles F. Rice, the present pastor, was born in 
Chelsea, Mass., April 14th, 1851. He is the son of Rev. Wm. 
Rice, D. D., of Springfield, Mass., and of Caroline L., daugh- 
ter of Wm. North, of Lowell. He graduated from Wesleyan 
University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of '72. After 
graduating, he held for a time the position of Classical Teacher 
in the Springfield High School. In 1874 he was elected Tutor 
of Latin in Wesleyan University, where he remained for three 
years. In the spring of 1875, he joined the New England 
Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
1877, was appointed pastor of the Appleton M. E. Church in 
Boston, which position he held until April 1880. His subse- 
quent pastorates have been as follows: 80-82, Wesley Chapel, 
Salem ; 83-4, Webster ; 85-7, St. Paul's, Lowell. In April, 
'88, he was appointed pastor of the M. E. Church in Leomin- 
ster. Aug. 25th, 1875, he married Miriam O. Jacobs, daughter 
of Horace Jacobs, M. D., of Springfield, Mass., and they have 
four children, one daughter and three sons. 

congregational church of CHRIST. 

On March 24, 1874, several of the members of the Ortho- 
dox Congregational Church of Leominster, who were residents 
of the village of North Leominster, met at the house of Geo. 
S. Burrage, " to consider the expediency of forming a Congre- 
<rational church in that village." This action was due to a 
deep feeling that there was need of a local church. As a 
result of this meeting, and of others which grew out of it, an 
ecclesiastical council was called to meet in Kendall Hall, May 
6th, 1874, to advise concerning the expediency of forming a 
Congregational Church here. By this council a church was 



ciirK(iii:s. 57 

duly formed and recognized under tlie name ul " The Congre- 
gational Church of Christ." 

The first officers of the church were as follows : Pastor, 
Rev. Henry E. Cooley ; deacons, Leonard Wood, John Henry 
Shedd ; clerk, Mrs. Abby G. Boutelle ; treasurer, George Hall; 
church committee, Timothy Dwight Wood, Mrs. Martha A. 
lUu'rage, Mrs. Julia P. Wood, (ieorge Hall ; superintendent of 
Sunday school, Leonard Wood. 

The "Congregational Society of North Leominster " was 
organized April 17th, 1875, with the following ofificers : clerk, 
Leonard Wood ; treasurer, George Hall ; executive committee, 
Newton C. lV)utelle, George S. Hurrage, John H. Shedd. 

For several years after its organization the services of the 
church were held in Kendall Hall. The church edifice, which 
stands upon Main street in the village, was dedicated on the 
7th of April, i8cSo, free from all indebtedness. The cost of the 
building, and its furnishwigs, was $16,000. The work was 
done under the supervision of George Hall, Charles Farns- 
worth and James Skinner, as a building committee. Prominent 
among the donors toward the building and furnishing of this 
house were Augustus Whitman and Capt. Leonard Burrage. 
l-'rom Mr. Whitman, at the time of his decease, the Society 
received a legacy of $5000, and from Mr. l-turrage, ui)on his 
death in 1888, they received a legacy of $6000. To Mr. Hur- 
rage the Society is also indebted for the gift of its parsonage 
and lot, which is situated nearly opposite his late residence, at 
the upper end of Main street. 

Rev. Hr.NR\ \\. Cnoi.Kv, the first pastor, was installed 
Nov. loth, 1874; he died F'eb. 17th, 1877. (^ther pastors have 
served as follows : Rev. E. G. Smith, from June 1877 to June 
1881 ; Rev. Henry P. Cutting, Nov. 1881 to Sept. 1884; Rev. 
Newton L Jones, March 1885 to March 1887. The present 
officers of the church are : Pastor, Rev. Frederic A. Balcom ; 

s 



58 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

deacons, John Henry Shedd, Timothy Dvvight Wood ; clerk, 
Mrs. Abby G. Boutelle ; treasurer, Miss Lucy E. Shedd ; 
church committee, George Hall, Miss Carrie L. Wood, Mrs. 
Lucy J. Smith, Miss Lucy E. Shedd ; superintendent of Sun- 
day school, Newton C. Boutelle. The present parish officers 
are as follows : clerk, Alverse D. Lear ; treasurer, George 
Hall ; executive committee, Newton C. lioutellc, Arthur H. 
Hall, Abel Wood. 

Rev. Frederic A. Ha i. com, the present pastor, was born 
in Worcester, Mass., January 26th, 1853. He prepared for 
college at the High School, Grafton, Mass., graduated from 
Williams College, in 1878 ; in September of that year he 
entered Yale Theological Seminary, completing his course of 
study there in the spring of 1881. He was pastor at West 
Hartland, Conn., from May 1881 to June 1884 ; at Holden, 
Mass., from June 1884 to Sept. 1886 ; teacher and preacher at 
Franconia, N. H., until April, 1887. He became acting pastor 
of this church July ist, 1887. 



CiriAl^TKK \' 



r.nrcATioNAi. 




N his excellent sketch of the Public Schools, Dr. 
C. C. Field, who was for over forty years a 
member of the School l^oard, writes : "At this 
distant jieriod, it is difficult to conceive, how 
great must have been the undertaking for them, 
(referring to the early settlers of Leominster,) 
to provide christian ministration and secular 
education for themselves and their children, 
while they were subduing the forests and culti- 
vating the newly cleared fields for the mainten. 
ance of their families. Neither can we easily comprehend how 
much the present prosperity of our schools may depend upon the 
excellent school system, which, with unusual wisdom and fore- 
sight, they established from the beginning. Leominster is one 
of the few towns in the State, that was ne\er di\ided into 
legal ' School Districts.' The town always managed its school 
affairs in its corporate capacity, built and located all the school- 
houses, add divided the money raised for the supjiort of schools 
among the several schools as equally as circumstances would 
allow, after the subject had been considered and reported upon 
by a committee chosen for that purpose." 'I'iie town, also, has 



6o LEOMINSTKR, HISTORICAL ANT) PICTURF.SOt'E. 

often been in advance of the State in matters of management 
and instruction in her Schools. In 1803 a " School Commit- 
tee" was chosen, and the teachers required to keep re^^isters, 
similar to those now used. In this Leominster anticipated 
State action by a quarter of a century. It is not within the 
scope of this work to give a history of the Schools. Of the 
l^ast it is sufficient to say this ; Money has always been voted 
freely ; the general nianagL'UiLMit. has been conmntted to wise 
and 'faithful sci"\ants ; in luattcrs of grading, instruction and 
super\'ision Leominster has led, but seldom followed. T'or all 
this, she is largely intlebted to the clear head and earnest devo- 
tion of Dr. C. C. Field, whose words, in substance, well de- 
scribe the present of her schools ; "And now, with our excel- 
lent system of conducting school affairs, with the High School 
maintained for the benefit of all the inhabitants, having two 
departments, five teachers and more than one hundred pupils, 
with the Grammar and Primary schools in the center, and the 
North Village, classified according to the scholars' attainments, 
and with mixed schools in the outskirts of the town, all with 
comfortable and commodious school rooms, furnished with 
every necessary apparatus, now we say, if the children of the 
present generation fail to acquire a good education, the fault 
must be theirs and their parents' and not because the town 
fails in any degree to supply all necessary means and facili- 
ties." 

DR. CALEB CLESSON FIELD. 

No sketch of the Public Schools would be at all complete 
that did not mention with honor the name of Dr. C. C. Field. 
To his sustained interest, watchful care and excellent judgment, 
the town is very largely indebted for its efificient school system ; 
and especially for those progressive ideas of school manage- 
ment and instruction, for which Leominster has always been 
noted. That the system has been, in many ways, improved o 




Dr. CALEB CLESSON FIELD. 



KDUCATlONAr.. 6r 

late, is only another way of sayinj;-, that the seeds which he 
planted and cultivated with so much care, have fruited since 
his death. There is a permanent element of eager progress 
and wise conservatism, in the spirit of school management 
here, of which Dr. I'^ield is the author, and, of which record 
should be made to his lasting honor. 

Caleb Clesson I'Meld was born in Xorlh field, Mass., May 
27tli, iSio; he graduated at Andicist College with honor in 
the summer of iS;3. AUlt giadualiug he taught foi" some 
time in Coneoril, .Mass., with marketl success. In iS^,; he 
began the study of medicine at a pi-i\ate schcjol in Boston, but 
in June ot the ne.\t year was compelletl to leave the school on 
account of his health. He remained at his home in Northfield 
until 1837, studying with Dr. Dean of (ireen field. He then 
spent five months with the celebrated Dr. Twitchell of Keene, 
N. H. After this he attended a course of lectures at Dart- 
mouth Medical School, where he received the degree of M. D. 
in 1837. Dr. Field came to Leominster in the same year and 
began the practice of his profession, which he continued with 
the growing favor of the community until his death. May, 
1 88 1. 

Dr. Field was twice chosen to represent the town at the 
"General Court " and did faithful and honorable service there, 
especially as a member of the Committee on Education. In 
May, 1 88 1, reduced in strength by the winter's work and 
especially by the severe requirements of his profession in the 
early sj^ring, Dr. 1-Meld took a sudden cold which led to pneu- 
monia, of which he died after a brief illness of five days. He 
was married three times. Only one of his children is living at 
the present time. When Dr. h'ield became a resident of Leom- 
inster, the Educational pulse of the .State was just showing 
increasing strength, owing to the fresh, pure blood infused 
into the system by Horace Mann and others. The Hoard of 



62 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

r^ducation was formed and broad ideas of Universal Educa- 
tion were taking on form and flesh. In 1838 Dr. Field was 
elected a member of the School Committee, a position which 
he held for over forty-three years, serving much of the time as 
its chairman. 

In his profession Dr. C. Caleb Field was highly esteemed 
by his brethren and served the community with skill and suc- 
cess. In his work for the Schools he wisely blended three 
things ; an earnest love for the cause of education, a hearty 
welcome for all progress, and a firm holding on to that which 
is good. He was a friend to the teachers and loved the 
schools as if they were his own. He kept himself well in- 
formed of every advance in educational matters, and worked 
constantly, yet wisely for the best things. His educational 
ideas were never old, because they were always ^'■/v 71'/;/ 4'-. The 
Schools of Leominster will always bear the marks of his wise 
oversight. As our modern life makes larger and larger 
demands on the individual, and the system of Public Instruc- 
tion becomes more comprehensive, Special Supervision must 
and does take the place of the old way. But in the years 
before this was possible, any town was most fortunate, if, among 
her citizens there was one, who had the will and the ability to 
do for her Public Schools what Dr. Field did for the Schools 
of Leominster. The service was long, wise and faithful. 

As a man. Dr. Field was highly esteemed in the commun- 
ity. His character grew in breadth and strength to the end. 
He left a lasting impression for good upon the town. 

JAMES BENNETT. 

In this connection, also, should be mentioned the name of 
James Bennett, P^sq. His is an honorable name in Leomin- 
ster, and especially in relation to her system of public instruc- 
tion. A faithful member of the'Leominster School Committee 
for many years, Mr. Bennett was, to the end of life, an earnest 



KOUCAIIONAr. 63 

and (k'\()tc(! Iricnd ot education. His time, his iiiHiiciKc, his 
help in c\cry way, was freely gi\en to increase the efficiency of 
the I'ublic Schools. In this field, as well as others, he did 
excellent and lastin<; work. 

James Bennett was born in Lunenburi;' in 1805. lie 
receixed his education in the Tublic Schools, in which, at a 
later period, he was a teacher, both in his native town and else- 
where. Not far from the year 1830 Mr. Bennett came to 
Leominster and was for a time employed in making combs, 
which was then the leading industry of the town. Some years 
later he began the insurance business, largely in consequence 
of an injury to his hand, received while engraving combs, lie 
continued this business, until he was forced to gi\e uj) all work 
on account of failing health. 

I'rom i<S56 to 1880 Mr. Bennett was largely identihed with 
the public interests of the town. In the T'all of the year first 
named, he was elected to rei)rcscpt the- town at the "General 
Court." He serxed two terms with cretlit to himself and honor 
to the town. He was one of the first, if not the hrst, to be 
honored by a re-election. It was during his term in the Legis- 
lature, that Mr. Bennett was chosen a member of the Leomin- 
ster School Committee — a position which he held for the next 
thirteen years. In many ways Mr. Bennett was well fitted for 
this office. His interest in the Schools was constant. He did 
not limit his labors. So far as he was able, and his abilitv 
exceeded that of most men, who do not make teaching a pro- 
fession, he ga\e the teachers direct aid as well as encourage- 
ment. He did his work well and faithfullv. In connection 
with the I'ublic Library, also, Mr. Bennett did most efiicient 
work for the town. It is enough to say that he found the 
Library a small collection of books of small value ; but when 
he left the committee in 1880, on account of the growing in- 
firmities of age, the librarv numbered 8000 volumes, had a 



64 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

home of its own, and a fine reading room department attached. 
Of the labors necessary to bring this about Mr. Bennett bore 
his full share. He was an active, wise and influential member 
of the Committee. He had excellent qualifications for this 
work, and freely gave of his time to this service. 

Mr. Bennett was also a great lover of history. He col- 
lected and left for use much valuable material for a local his- 
tory of the different wars, for which Leominster furnished 
men. In many ways he had the tastes and instincts of a 
scholar, although he lacked the training of the schools. It is 
not possible here to give a full record of all his service, or of 
his fervent patriotism and quick interest in every good cause. 
It is enough to say, that l\Ir. Bennett lived a useful and worthy 
life, honorable to himself and helpful to the community. As a 
friend, a citizen and a man his character will bear close scru- 
tiny. The better he is known the more he will be honored. 

PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE PUBLIC 
SCHOOLS. 

The present Superintendent of Schools is Mr. I. Freeman 
Hall. The School Committee for 1888-9, are, Edward M. 
Rockwell, (Chairman,) George M. Powers, (Secretary,) F"rancis 
C. Bowen, Charles C. P'oster, Henrietta M. Gates and Joel D. 
Miller. The teachers are as follows : 

EIELD HIGH .SCHCXH.. 

Joel D. Miller, (Principal) ; Henry S. Streeter, Sarah E. 
Richardson, Abby P. Churchill. 

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. 

Field School — Annie E. Kenefick, Sarah E. Brown, Annie 
Conlin, Hattie E. Nichols, Mabel Prevear, Angle Cogswell. 
Bennett School — Laura H. Robbins, Marea B. Lewis. 



EDUCATIONAL. 65 

Pierce School — Flora K. Kendall, Helen J. liunce. 

I'KIMAKV .SCHOOLS. 

Field School— I<:ilen E. Pitts, Helen P>. Pierce, Carrie L. 
W'illard, Harriet E. Pierce. 

Bennett School — Josie A. Davis, Mattie A. Cole. 
Pierce School — Hella G. O'Neil, Gertrude Rhoades. 

L"N(iK.\DEl) SCHOOLS. 

No. 2, Maple Avenue — Lizzie Reynolds, 

Xo. 3, Main Street, North Leominster — Lulu Allen. 

No. 4, Prospect Hill, North Leominster — Mary A. Railey. 

No. 5, Central Street — May Willard. 

No. 6, Pleasant Street — Nellie G. Woodbury. 

No. 15, Cross Street — Sarah A. Going. 

No. 16, Birch Street — Helen E. Hey wood. 

SPECIAL TEACHERS. 

Martha D. Brown, (Singing.) 
Henry S. Streeter, (Drawing). 

SCHOOL C0.MAHTT1':E. 

Sketches of E. M. Rockwell (chairman), Geo. M. Powers 
(Secretary), and Mr. C. C. Foster will be found in connection 
with the account of the business in which each is enjrafred ; 
and of J. D. Miller in connection wiih the High .School. 

l-'KANt IS C. HowI':n, was horn in Stoneham. Mass., fan. 
31, i<S34. He was educated in the Public .Schools of his 
native town and Leominster. At the age of i<S he came to 
Leominster and entered the employ of his uncle, Manson D. 
llaws. Some years later he entered into company with Mr 
Haws, in the manufacture of Ladies Shoes, and continued a 
memJK'r of the firm tor nine years. After leaving this busi- 



66 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND nCTURESOUE. 

ness, Mr. Bowen purchased the farm adjoining the family es- 
tate inherited by his wife and located almost in the village of 
North Leominster on the road towards Shirley. He has 
given special attention to the dairy business, furnishing butter 
fur the Ouincy Market, Boston. He is now serving his third 
year as a member of the School Committee. 

In 1876 and 1877, Mr. Bowen represented the town in the 
Legislature. He has often been solicited to let his name be 
used for other town offices, but has refused permission. He 
was for many years the active and efificient Superintendent of 
the Unitarian Sunday School, and has always taken special 
interest in the affairs of that Society. 

Mrs. Henrietta M. Gates was born in Westminster, 
Mass., and educated in the Schools of that town and of Leom- 
inster. For seven years or more she was a teacher in the Pub- 
lic Schools of the State, teaching in Westminster, Gardner 
and Leominster, hi 1867 she was married to Mr. Jonas W. 
Gates of Leominster, and has since made her home here. 

In the Spring of 1880 Mrs. Gates was elected a member of 
the Library Committee and has served most of the time since 
as its Secretary and Treasurer. She was chosen a member of 
the School Board at the April Meeting in 1880 and is now 
serving in her third term on both these Committees. She 
gives valuable and conscientious service. 

SUPERINTENDENT (3F SCHOOLS. 

Isaac P"reeman Hall, the present Superintendent of 
Schools, was born in Dennis, Mass., April 23, 1847. He 
received his education at Bridgewater Normal School, Phillips 
Academy, Andoverand Dartmouth College, although he did not 
take the full College course. 

Choosing teaching as a profession, it was Mr. Hall's good 
fortune to be Master of one of the Grammar Schools of Ouincy, 





E. M. ROCK/.tL. 



G. M. POWERS. 




-4iii*' 






F. C. BOWEf. 



C C. FOSTER. 




HENRIETTA M 




1. FREEMAN HALL 



EDUCATIONAL. 67 

Mass., while Col. Parker was Superintendent. From him he 
learned whatever of good the .so-ealled "Ouincy Method" con- 
tained. In iSSo Mr. Hall was elected Superintendent of 
Schools for Dedham, Mass., and began work there in Septem- 
ber of that year. After a successful service of nearly five 
years, he resigned to take charge of the Schools of Leomin- 
ster. June 13, 1S72 he married Miss Amelia G. Mead of 
Ouincy, Mass. They ha\e four children, one son and three 

daughters. 

TEACHERS. 

In selecting the names of teachers for brief mention in 
this place, length of service has been made the basis of choice. 

Miss Sarah E. Richardson is a native of Leominster and 
received her education in the Public Schools and by private 
instruction in the modern languages, from native teachers. 
She has taught in Leominster a large part of the time for the 
past twenty years or more. She began teaching in No. 2, and 
w-as for some five years a teacher in one of the primary schools 
in Gardner Hall. After this she was for a time assistant in 
the Clinton High School. 

In 1S76 Miss Richardson was elected assistant in the Field 
High School ; a position which she has filled and still fills to the 
entire acceptance of all concerned. During this time she has 
been absent from the school some three years on account of 
severe sickness. 

Mrs. ICi.i.a M. Wii.dkr, who was for so many years the 
successful principal of the Second Department of the High 
School, is a native of Lancaster and received her education 
there and in Leominster. In 1865 she began teaching, in 
what is called Xo. 5. .After three years service in this and 
other schools, she was elected as principal of the Second 
Department of the High School in i.^'6v This position she 
filled with eminent ability until the summer of iSyG. when she 



68 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

resigned to enter the Dry Goods business. Slie was one of 
Leominster's most successful teachers. 

Mrs. Sarah E. Brown is a native of Lynn and received 
her education in the Public Schools of that city. Most of her 
long service as a teacher has been in the schools of this town, 
where she began work in what was then called No. 8, (now 
called the Bennett School,) something more than thirty years 
ago. Since then she has taught in the different grades of the 
Public Schools with continued and sustained success. For 
fourteen years past she has been principal of the A. and 
11 Grammar grades in the Field School. 

Mrs. Harriet L. Nichols was born in Amesbury, and 
educated in her schools. She has been a teacher in the Pub- 
lic Schools of the State for more than twenty years. Her ser- 
vice in Leominster dates from about 1870, when she began 
teaching in what was at that time known as No. 8, (now the 
Bennett school). She has since taught in different schools 
and in different grades of the same schools, doing faithful and 
efficient service. She is now principal of the C. and D. Gram- 
mar grades in the P'ield School. 

Ellen E. Pitts is a native of Clinton, Mass. She was 
educated in Lancaster and at Middlebury, Vt. She began 
teaching in 1861, and in i86> was elected to a position in the 
Leominster Schools. Her service has been continuous from 
that time. Miss Pitts is now principal of the Field Primary 
School, where she is doing efficient service. 

Helen B. Pierce was born in Leominster and is a gradu- 
ate of the High School. She has been in continuous service 
as a teacher here since 1S74. More particular reference is 
made to Miss Pierce in the list of High School graduates. 

Cvnthia p. Boutelle was born in Leominstr, May iith, 
1848. She received her education, for the most part, in the 
Schools of her natix'c town ; but entered Bridirwater Normal 







iX J 









:s. 



PIERCE SCHOOL, NORTH LEOMINSTER. 




,■* - 










'^'<i<'^:-:fx'" 



r^-rrri--i,._^ ^I^^.j 



I IKLD HIGH SCHOOL. 




BENNETT SCHOOL, PLKASAN l" SfKEKl, 



EnrCATtOXAI. 69 

School in 1868 with the intention of takin<; the full course of 
study. At first sickness in the family at home, and later — 
when she returned to the work — her own ill health forced her 
to giv'C up this undertaking. 

Miss Boutelle was for many years one of Leominster's most 
painstaking and efficient teachers. She began her work in No. 
6 : but was for a long time in charge of what was then called 
No. 13, but is now the C. grade in the Field Grammar School. 
Her last work in the Schools was as assistant in the Second 
Department of the High School. Teaching was her profes- 
sion, a work which she loved and in which she achieved suc- 
cess. She died at her home in Leominster, April, 1888. 

Mrs. Jennie Burgess (Lockey), who was connected with 
the Leominster Schools for nearly ten years, is a native of 
Westminster, Mass. She was educated in the school* of that 
town and of Brimfield, Mass. She began teaching m Oct. 
1863, and taught in Ikimfield, Warren, Westminster and Clin- 
ton, Mass. She began work in Leominster in the I^'all of 1877, 
and after some years of successful teaching in different 
grades of schools, she was called to take charge of the music 
in Clinton. This work she was soon obliged to resign on ac- 
count of ill health. After recovering her health Mrs. Burgess 
resumed work here as assistant in the Second Department of 
the High School. In this position she remained, combining 
with her work there, for a part of the time, the care of the 
music, until the summer of 1887, when she resigned and was 
married to Hon. John H. Lockey of Leominster. 

Sarah A. Goinc is a native of I-'itchburg, Mass., but received 
her education in the Public Schools of Worcester and Leomin- 
ster. She has been connected with the Leominster Schools as 
teacher for nearly twenty years, and has rendered efficient ser- 
vice in several grades and in different parts of the town. I-Or 
se\en years she taught in what is now the i-'icld Primary 



70 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

School. This position she resigned and was for a brief time 
out of the service. She then taught at No. 3 and at North 
Leominster and is now in charge of the Cross Street School. 

THE FIELD HIGH SCHOOL. 

The present High School was established in 1850 ; but it is 
really the offspring of the old "Graunnar School,'' so-called, 
which Leominster maintained during most of the early years of 
her history. This "Grammar School" of the fathers, or as it 
was named in the quaint phrase of the time, "a man-School," 
was evidence of a feeling that the State should provide Schools 
where something more would be attempted than to teach the 
children to "read, right and sifer and nothing else," as 
the records have it. 

Very much of the efficiency of the High School is due to 
the wise oversight of Dr. C. C. Field, who, from the time of 
its organization until his death, made this School his constant 
care. In recognition of this service the Committee have 
named the High School and the other Schools connected, in 
his honor. In this connection the name of Jonas Henry 
Kendall should be mentioned. We give the excellent note of 
Dr. C. C. Field, as covering what should be said : 

"No historic sketch, of the School system and School af- 
fairs of the town, can be complete, that does not record the 
name of Jonas Henry Kendall among the generous benefactors 
of the town. He died in 1862, a descendant of an ancient and 
honorable family of the town. By his will, besides minor 
bequests to individuals and a gift to the town of a fine bell for 
the Town House, and $5000 for a hall and school room at 
North Leominster, he bequeathed to the town $5000 for a free 
Public Library, the income .of $10,000 for the support of the 
High School, and the income of $3©oo for the benefit of the 
School at the North Village. It is particularly for his benefac- 




J. D MILLER. 



KDL'CATIONAI.. J \ 

tions to the cause of education that his name should be held 
in ^^rateful remembrance for all time by all lovers of sound 
learninj^ and generous culture." 

The following list contains the names of all who have served 
as principals of the High School. 

Mk. Josiah S. Phillii's of Georgetown, May, 1850. 

Mr. Andrew F. Willaro of Lancaster, June, 1854. 

Mr. J asi'kr Fish of Middleton, Conn., March, 1855. 

Mr. I). II. GooDEi.L of Antrim, N. H., June 1856. 

Mr. Caleb Blodgett, Jr., September 1856. 

Mr. Hai.skv J. Boardmax, June 185S. 

Mr. George R. Mariu.i: of I'Mtchburg, July, 1859. 

Mk. I). H. Hliiisaki), April 1862. 

Mr. Samii:!, II. \'iri;i\ of Chelsea, March 1864. 

Mr. M. V. Staefoki) of Cambridge, March 1866. 

Mr. G. G. Pratt of Cambridge, August 1S66. 

Mr. O. H. Stearns of Lunenburg, December, 1 865. 

Rev. Joei. U. Miller of Athol, April 1867. 

J );:l 1). Miller, the present principal, was born in Athol, 
Oct. io:h. 1837. He fitted for college at Athol High School 
and Bernardston .Vcadem,', and graduated from Williams in 
1864; was ordained in i855; but has taught all the time since 
graduating; for the last twenty-one years in Leominster. 

c.R.XDLA ii:s oi' rill-: I'li.i.i) iikiii xiinoi. 

riu' course ot studs' for the l-'ield High School was not 
dehnitel)- arranged until 1868, but tiie two Noung men entering 
Harvard that year, finished a full course of classical study in 
the School and stand on the records as the first class. .At 
about the same time, also, Mr. John M. Locke\ fitted in the 
lligh .School for the .Agricultural College at Amherst. 

Class oi- '68: William W. Carter, son of Solon and 

l.ucretia J. Carter, graduated with honor at Harvard in the class 
wt 'j2. He entgreil at once upon the j^rofession of teaching, as 



^2 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AXD PICTURESQUE. 

principal of the Englevvood High School, 111. He proved himself 
a very able teacher, and continued his work at Englewood until 
about a year ago, when he resigned and entered the Real Es- 
tate and Insurance business with Mr. H. B. Lewis of that city. 
Alfred W. Field, second son of Dr. C. C. Field, graduated 
with honor at Harvard, at the age of 21, and at once began a 
special course in Chemistry at that Institution. A year later 
he was appointed acting Prof, of Chemistry in the absence of 
Prof. Jackson. He filled the position for two years, and was 
then appointed by the College to a Parker Scholarship, resident 
abroad for three years, with expenses paid. He had hardly 
begun work in l^erlin when his health failed, and as his disease 
was pronounced "diabetes," he at once returned home. After 
a brave fight with this disease for full seven years, a part of 
which time he spent at Harvard, he died July 9th, 1882, at the 
residence of his aunt, Mrs. Merriman, at the old home place on 
Main street. He was a young man of unusual promise. 

Class of '70 : This was the first regular class and con- 
sisted of five members. Helen M. Carter, (Lockey), daugh- 
ter of Solon and Lucretia J. Carter, began to teach soon after 
graduating. After the resignation of Miss Clara Hovvland, 
who had successfully served for some years as assistant in the 
High School, Miss Carter was elected to fill her place. In this 
position she remained for two years or more, when she resigned 
and, Sept. 24th, 1874, was married to Mr. John M. Lockey. 
Their residence is Grove Avenue, Leominster, Mass. I^lla 
Y . Wood, graduated from the State Normal School at Framing- 
ham. She did not engage permanently in teaching. In i88r 
she was married to Mr. Austin A. Smith. Their residence is 
Lindell Avenue, Leominster. Stella Farnsworth, a daughter 
of Mr. Charles P'arnsvvorth of North Leominster, has spent the 
years since her graduation at her father's home. Ella Gates 
(Lewis,) was for some years a teacher in Leominster, and now 



EDUCATIONAL. 73 

is Mrs. L. W. Lewis. Laura Mcrriam, a clauj;"htcr of Chas. 

If. Mcrriam, Ivsq., ^■racluatcd at the Oriad Institute at Worces- 
ter, Mas.s. She has been a successful teacher of music in the 
I'ublic Schools, especially in the City of I^^tchburi;'. Her resi- 
dence is with her mother on Main street, Le )minster. 

Cf.As.s OF '70. (July.) This class was (graduated the 

same year as the first. Tiiis was necessary in the first arranj^e- 
mjiit of a rei;ular course of stu;ly. Dora \l. Wheeler, (l^'os- 

ter,) was for sexcral years a successful teacher in the Leomin- 
ster schools, hi 1S77 she was married to Mr. C. C. P^oster, at 
that timj mister of one of the (irammar Schools of Chicopee, 
Mass. Their residence is now Grove Avenue, Leominster, 
Mass. Jennie Allen, d:uiL;'liter of Joel C. .Allen, is now Mrs. 

Chas. .S. Perry, and resides in Leominster. livii S. Pierce 

(i'arwcll,) a dauL;liter of Dr. (i. \V. Pierce, is now Mrs. iulwin 
C. I'\irwell and resides in Ihde I'ark, Miss. She was for a 
brief time a teacher in the Leominster Schools. Nellie 

Spraj^uj has made her home, since leavini^ the Hi[;"h Schocd, 
with her father, Mr. Nathan Sprague, of this town. 

Clas.s of '71. Helen Burdett, the only member of this 

class, left Leominster soon after graduating and her home, at 
piesent, is in Dedham, ALass. 

Cr.ASs OF 'j2. Herbert C. Hurdett, son of A. L. l^ur- 

dett, graduated from Harvard in '7.S. After successful work as 
a teacher, he entered the office of ILirtwell 8: Richardson, 
architects in Boston, and was afterwards, for abimt lour years, 
with the celebrated artist, II. II. Richardson. liroDkline, Mass. 
In l-\'bruary, ]SHy, he became associated with J. H. Marling, in 
the firm of Marling & Burdett, architects, Buffalo, New \'ork. 
I'he International Fair Building, the largest, so far as known, 
in the world, and the finest, from an architectural jic^nt of view, 
of any e\er constructed in this countrv, was recenth l)nih Irom 
their plans. The accompanying drawing o. his building will 

10 



74 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

be interesting to the schoolmates and friends of Mr. Burdett 
here in his native town, showing, as it does, the advancement 
he has made in his chosen profession. Lizzie Balch ha,s re- 

sided in Leominster most of the time since graduation. She is 
now a teacher of painting. Ada Putnam, (Wells), after leav- 

ing school, remained at the home of her father, Mr. Charles H. 
Putnam, until Nov. -ii, 1873, when she was married to Mr. 
P'^rederick Wells of this town. After a lingering illness, Mrs. 
Wells died at her home Nov. 12, 1884. Burton J. Legate 

graduated at Harward in 1877. He remained for one year at 
the college for a post-graduate course, and then was for a short 
time principal of one of the Grammar Schools of Hingham, 
Mass. He resigned to enter, as teacher, one of the best pri- 
vate schools in the city of Boston, where he is still teaching 
with very marked success. E. P. Merriam graduated from 

Harvard in 1877. He was for a time in the census department 
at Washington, D. C. He died suddenly at Cottage City, Aug. 
17, 1875. Kittie P'ield, daughter of Dr. C. C. P'ield, entered 

the State Normal School at P'ramingham, but was taken sick 
during her course there, and after a lingering illness, died at her 
father's house, Sept. 13, 1875. She was a young lady of much 
promise. Anna L. Niles removed from Leominster with the 

family. She has since been married, and now resides at 
Lawrence, Mass. Lizzie Pye left Leominster with the fam- 

ily soon after her class graduated, and her present residence, if 
she is alive, is not known to the writer. Lizzie Tilton, 

(Shapley) w^as for some years a teacher in the Leominster 
schools. In 1876 she was married to Mr. C. H. Shapley of this 
town. Their home is on Main street. Alice L. Woodworth, 
is now Mrs. Ledru W^alker and resides in Worcester, Mass. 
Anna R. Hall, (Kittredge) was married in 1875 to Monroe H. 
Kittredge and resides in Leominster. 

Class of 'jT)- Porter R. Stratton graduated from Bos- 



EDUCATIONAL 75 

ton University in 1878, and has since entered the ministry of 
the MethocUst Church. He was stationed at So. Royalston in 
1882-3, at Brookfield, in 1884-5-6. His present appointment is 
Oxford, Mass. In 1880 he married Annie M. Jewett, adopted 
daughter of Dea. Charles Jewett of this town. Annie M. 
Jewett, (Stratton,) (see above.) Hattie Tyler attended the 
training- course for teachers, connected with I^'ield Hit;h School, 
and afterwards the N. E. Conservatory, Boston. She was for 
twelve years a teacher in the Public Schools. Ten years in 
Leominster, teaching in District No. 3, one year, in the Field 
Primary one year, and the remaining eight years in the Ken- 
dall school building at North Leominster. Emma Page, 
(Pierce,) married as above, and is now a resident of North Leom- 
inster. Alma Batchelder, (Clapp,) taught in Leominster in 
1873-4, and was married in 1877 to Mr. F. A. Clapp Thos. 
Kenefick graduated from Harvard in 1877. He studied law at 
the Harvard Law School and is now in the successful practice 
of his profession at Palmer, Mass. Herbert B. Whitney, son 
of Dea. ¥. A. Whitney, graduated at Harvard in 1877. He 
studied medicine at the Harvard Medical School, and graduated 
with special honor. He spent 188 1-2 in the Boston City Hos- 
])ital, and the next two years in (iermany. On his return he 
began the practice of his profession, under most favorable con- 
ditions, in the City of Boston ; but he was soon compelled to go 
West on account of his health. He is now a practising phvsi- 
cian in Boulder, Colorado. Carrie Woods has spent the time 
since her class graduated at her home in Leominster Centre. 

Cl.-\s.s of 74. I'jiima .Stearns, daughter of Henr\' and 

Mary A. Stearns, dietl at her father's liome, Leominster, after 
an illness of some months. Nellie H. Pierce, daughter of Dr. 

G. W. Pierce, has taught in Leominster most of the time since 
graduating, and is now doing excellent work in the fourth grade 
of the l-"ieUl Primarv School. 



^6 LEOMINSTER, HISTOklCAL AKt) PICTURESQUE. 

Class of '75. Carrie M. I^^vans has taught eleven years 

in the PubHc Schools of the State. For one year, she was in 
Leominster ; the remaining ten hav^e been spent in Merriniac, 
where she is still teaching. Rosa M. Marshall (Walker), 

married I'^rank W. Walker, and now resides in Babylon, L. I. 
hjiima Moors, adopted daughter of Loren L. and lunily l'\ 
Moors, has remained in Leominster, since graduating. 

Class of '76. Mary Ann Porter, (Whitney) daughter of 

L. W. l\)rter, was married to Frank J. Whitney of the next 
class, in 1879. Her home has been in Boulder City, Colorado. 
Alice A. Adams was a teacher for a brief time, but has made her 
htmie with her sister, Mrs. N. C. lk)utelle, North Leominster, 
during much of the time since graduating. Elizabeth L. 

Seaver, (Blanchard) was for some time a teacher in Leominster. 
She married h'rederick Blanchard and now resides in Califor- 
nia. Helen A. Legate was for several years a successful 
teacher in the Leominster schools, closing her work as assist- 
ant in the 2d Dep't. of the Field High School. She now has 
charge of a large school in Concord, Mass. Fanny P. Gates 
has made her home in Leominster, Mass., since graduating. 
Carrie A. Nutter has remanied in Leominster and has been for 
much of the time employed in the store now owned by Mr. 
L. F. Burrage. Mary Anna Merriam taught for a brief 
time and is now Mrs. Leonard C. King. She resides in Fitch- 
burg. Dana Richardson studied at Harvard as a special 
student, and grathiated at the Harvard Medical School. He 
was for a time in No. Leominster, but is now settled at Brockton. 

Class of '7/- Leonard C. King has been for some years 

a clerk in the hardware store of I. C. Wright, Fitchburg. He 
married Mary A. Merriam of the last class. Albert ¥. Clark 
removed from town soon after graduating. His present resi- 
dence is in Philadelphia, Penn. l<:imer F. Legate studied 
at the Worcester Academy and is now a farmer in Leominster. 



l=:D0CATtONAL, /'7 

l*'rank J. Whitney has been forced to hve West most of the 
time since <;nuluatin<;-, on account of a strong;- temlency to lun<^ 
(lifficulties. He has been en;j^aged in business in Colorado, 
lie married Mary A. Porter, as above. Chas. Simpson <;rad- 
uated at Boston University ; for some years he followed the 
profession of teaching and then entered John Hopkins' Univer- 
sity for a more thorough preparation for his work. His pres- 
ent residence cannot be given. Clifton A. Crocker, son of 
Dea. S. S. Crocker, engaged at once in the Paper Business at 
Holyoke, Mass. He is a member of The Crocker M'f'g. Co., 
and a successful business man. Nellie F. Goodhue left 
town soon after graduating and her present residence has not 
been ascertained. Mary L. Derby, daughter of Benjamin 
Derby, has been a resident of Leominster since graduating. 
Anna M. Martin was for a time a teacher in Leominster, but 
inherited consumption soon brought on sickness and death, 
r'anny G. Houghton has remained at her home in Leominster. 
Lillian M. Stratton was for several years a very successful pri- 
mary teacher in Leominster, and is now doing excellent work 
in the same grade of schools in Watertown, Mass. Erminie 

E. Woodworth is now and has been a resident of Leominster. 
Laurabella Clarke studied music a few years after graduation. 
She has been teaching in the public schools of western North 
Carolina and Northern Georgia during the past five years, 
and is at present teaching in Macon County, North Carolina. 
Residence, Highlands, N. C. 

Class of 'yS. Mary ]'2veline Darling, daughter of Jo- 

seph S. Darling, now resides in Keene, N. H. (iracc Lin- 

coln Darling, daughter of Joseph S. Darling, is taking the reg- 
ular Scientific course at Wellesley College. Carrie L. 
Willard has been, for most of the time since '78, a teacher in 
Leominster. She is doing e.vcellent work in the third primary 
irrade. 



78 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Class of '79 • Kittie A. Wilder graduated from the 
Worcester Normal School, and taught two years in the Webster 
Grammar School. She was married in Feb. 1886, to R. L. 
Chandler and is now residing in Sterling. Annie M. Wilder, 
since graduation, has studied music, and taught the same in 
Leominster and Clinton. She is now organist at the Ortho- 
dox Congregational Church, Leominster. Residence, Sterling. 
Fannie L. Williams, (Fiske,) married Mr. Frank F. Fiske, of 
North Leominster, where their residence now is. Marrian B. 
Clough (Burdett) graduated at Smith College, taught for some 
tune, and is now Mrs. W. C. Burdett of this town. Their resi- 
dence is on Orchard St. Alice M. Gates has nearly com- 
pleted the course of instruction at the State Normal School, 
Worcester, having entered in Sept., 1881. She taught school in 
Leominster the fall of 1879, ^^^ following winter; in Lunen- 
burg in the spring of 1880, and again in Leominster a year, be- 
ginning 1883. Mary McCann attended the State Normal 
School, Worcester, from 1881 to 1884. She engaged in prima- 
ry work in Clinton and Leominster, in which she was so suc- 
cessful as to be called to the State Normal School, New Britain, 
Conn., where she is now teaching. When not teaching, she 
makes her home in Leominster. Jerry George Foley grad- 
uated at the Boston College and is now teaching in the Martin 
School of that city. William Chase Burdett, son of A. L. 
Burdett, is Sec'y of F. A. Whitney Carriage Co. He married 
Marrian B. Clough. John William Walsh, while in the High 
School, commenced reading law in the office of Hamilton Mayo. 
He entered Holy Cross College, Worcester, but at the end of 
one year was obliged by impaired health to give up taking a 
full course. As soon as his health was sufficiently restored, he 
entered the Law Department of Boston University, where he 
graduated in 1880. He was admitted to the Suffolk Bar and 
began practice in Fitchburg the same year, in partnership, un- 



EDUCATIONAL. 79 

til 1886, with John W. Corcoran of Clinton, when, at that time, 
he became associated with Thomas F. Gallagher, the jiartner- 
ship continuing until the death of Mr. Walsh, Aug. 12th, 1887. 
Ralph Gardner Morse attended Chickering Institue after grad- 
uating and has been Sec'y of the Hccla Powder Co. since 1883. 
Married Susie F. Colby Nov. 22d, 1883. 

Ci-Ass OF '80. George l^alch Pierce is in the telephone bus- 
iness. His present residence is Boston, Mass. Charles II. 
Pratt is a civil engineer in employ of the Midland R. R. Co. of 
I'lorida. Marietta Harrington is a music teacher and organ- 

ist. She resides in Leominster. Nellie M. Seaver taught 
for several years in Leominster, and is now in National City, 
California. Annie Conlin began teaching in Leominster in 

1883. She has charge of the H grade class in the I'ield (iram- 
mar School and is doing faithful and honorable service. Mat- 

tie A. Cole began teaching in 1881. She has taught in Henni- 
ker, X. H., Sterling, Ashburnham, Leominster, and Concord, 
Mass. .She is now teaching at the Bennett School. She has 
marked success in primary work. Anna L. Legate (Powers) 
taught for some time after graduating and is now Mrs. Fzra W. 
lV)wers. Julia K. Sanders resides at North Leominster. 
Abbie J. Carter (Watson) married Elmer K. Watson, Nov. 
25th, 1885. They live at North Leominster. 

Cl.\ss oi' '8[. Kate Allen is teacher of music in Leomin- 
ster. Hattie L. Fuller, (Lawrence,) daughter of William H. 
I'^uller, married Cecil Lawrence and lives in Leominster. 
Lizzie A. Hall has her home in Leominster. I\Lary 1". Ken- 
efick learned the millinery business in Leominster. At present 
she is with R. H. White, Boston. Grace A. Legate, dausrh- 
ter of Franklin Legate, taught a short time. She died at her 
home in Leominster. Nellie F. Maynard (Harrington) mar- 
rieil I'red .\. Harrington and lives in Leominster. Sadie M. 
Mcrriam, daughter of Gardner Merriam, has a home in Loom- 



8o LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AXD PICTURESQUE. 

inster. Carrie Whitney (Morse) was in the employ of R. B. 
Andrews & Co. two and a half years: She was married Jan. 
24th, 1884, to C. E. Morse; residence, Leominster. Clifton 
W. Bates graduated at Dartmouth in 1885. He commenced 
teaching the same year, and is now Professor of Modern Lan- 
guages at Brooklyn, N. Y. Charles N. B. Wheeler graduated 
at Harvard in 1887, and has spent the time since in teaching. 
He is now assistant in a private school, Du.xbury, Mass. 

Class of '82. Ida P. Smith taught in Leominster in 1883, 
and is still a resident of this town. Ella F. Holt remained 
at home in North Leominster for some time, but is now mar- 
ried to Mr. William A. Garno of Fitchburg. Nellie B. Rice 
resides at North Leominster. .Kate E. Rugg taught in West- 
minster in 1883, and now resides at North Leominster. An- 
na L. Tisdale (I'ierce) married F^dward W. Pierce and resides 
in town. Arthur T. Wilder taught for a brief time and is 
now engaged in farming ; residence. Sterling, Mass. 

2D Class of '82. Mabel Prevear, daughter of Edward 

Prevear, is at present a teacher in the Field Grammar School. 
Mary S. Welcome, daughter of Charles Welcome died at her 
home April 30, i'>84. Jennie F. Brown, (Tolman), married 
Mr. P. S. Tolman and resides in Leominster. P'lorence T. 

Morse, (Putnam), daughter of George F. Morse, married Wm. 
A. Putnam. Their home is on West street. Carrie C. 
Lane, daughter of Howard M. Lane, has remained at home 
since graduating. Jennie M. Richardson, daughter of Alan- 
son Richardson, taught in Leominster for some years. She is 
now in her second year's study at Smith College. Annie L 
Wheelock, daughter of George H. Wheelock, was a teacher in 
the Leominster Schools till the Fall of 1887, and is now spend- 
ing her second year at Smith College. Lillian J. Richard- 
son, daughter of L. A. Richardson, has remained at home since 
graduating. She assists her father in his Studio. Hattie 




Residence of M. D. Haws, North Leominster. 




Residence of Hamilton Mayo, Pearl Street. 



EDUCATIONAL. Si 

Pierce, daughter of Dr. G. W. Pierce, is a successful primary 
teacher. She studied in the Training Class for Teachers, 
taught first in Attleboro', Mass., and is now teaching in the 
first grade of the Field Primary School. Ikrtha l^uss 

remains in Leominster. Annie J. Mall, daughter of George 
Hall, spent a year at l^radford Academy, and now resides at 
North Leominster. Minnie B. Stearns graduated at the State 
Normal School, Worcester, Mass., and has taught at Towns- 
end, and Longmeadow, Mass. She is now teaching at Long- 
meadow. Annie S. Harwood, (Chase), daughter of N. Har- 
wood, Esq., married Wm. H. Chase, Sept. 28, 1887. They 
live in Leominster. lunma Wilder is at her home in Ster- 

ling, Mass. Lucy Poland graduated at the Worcester Normal 
School and is engaged in teaching. Hattie M. Divol studied 

music and is now teaching in Leominster. Jennie Gates 
remains at her home in North Leominster. Alice Conant, 
(Meade,) married Howard K. Meade. They li\c in Leomin- 
ster. Frank Urquhart graduated at Dartmouth in '8y. He 
manifested much ability as a writer and has chosen the profes- 
sion of journalism. He is at work on the Newark Journal, N. J. 
Class of '84. Harry Howard Boyden graduated at the 
Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1887. He remained for 
the ne.xt year as assistant in the Labratory. He resides at 
Leominster. Frank T. Harvey graduated at the Worcester 
Polytechnic Institute in 'Sj, and has since entered the Medical 
School, N. Y. city. Andrew Lincoln Houghton is a machin- 
ist in Leominster. Russell H. Colby graduated at The Bos- 
ton Institute of Technology in 'Sj, and is now in the employ 
of the State Board of Health, as analyst. Ida L. Willard is 
book-keeper for Valpey & Anthony at their manufactory, 
Leominster, Mass. Ida M. Stevens has her home in Leom- 
inster. ICmma K. Adams, (Johnson), was a member of the 
Training Class for Teachers. She taught some time in Leom- 
11 



82 LfiOMINSTER, HISTORICAL'anD PICtURESQllfi. 

inster. Nov. 23 she married George W. Johnson. Nellie 
C. Foster taught two terms at Loudon, N. H., and nine at 
Newport, N. H. Her residence is now in Leominster, Mass. 
Minnie L. Joy resides at her home in Leominster. Emma 
Fuller, daughter of Wm. H. Fuller, is now a teacher of music 
in Leominster. Gertrude Louise Rhoades studied in the 
Training Class and is now a member of the Leominster corps 
of Teachers. 

Class of '85. Lora S. Bowen, (Corkum), married July 
12, '88, to David F. Corkum. Their residence is in Leomin- 
ster. Alice G. Burdett, daughter of A. L. Burdett, Esq., 
h^as remained at home since graduating. Mabel A. Cole, 
(Wheeler), daughter of G. H. Cole, married, March 27, '88, to 
Bertrand Thorpe Wheeler, residence. Cedar Grove, Dorches- 
ter, Mass. Cora H. Coolidge graduated at Gushing Acad- 
emy, Ashburnham, Mass., and this year has entered Smith 
College. Her home is in Ashburnham. Gertrude H. Fel- 
ton is now book-keeper at the Woolen mill of Edward M. 
Rockwell. Minnie G. Field resides at North Leominster. 
Mary A. Frost, daughter of Sumner M. Frost, is now pursuing 
the regular course at Smith college. Her home is in Leom- 
inster. Annie J. Kenefick taught two years in Maynard, 
Mass., and is now assistant in the 2d Department of the Field 
High School. Carrie L. Miller spent the first year after 
graduating in study, a part of the second in teaching in the 
High School. She died at her home April 23, 1887. Kate 

M. Policy makes her home in Leominster. Anna L. Stearns 
lives at her uncle's home, North Leominster. Clinton T. 
Boutelle has remained at Leominster since his graduation. 
Edward A. Darling has spent some time at school since grad- 
uating and is now in Dorchester, Mass. 

Class of '86. Of the members of this class the following 
have remained in Leominster : E. Louise Allen, Sadie W. 



EDUCATIONAL 83 

Crockett, Mary A. Railey, Helen G. Rice, May W. Willard, 
Harry W. Putney, Clarence J. Reed, and Fred K. Upham. 
Reed studied at a Commercial School in Boston, and is now with 
A. B. Merrill, and Upham is in the employ of D. C. Nickerson. 
The names of Miss Allen, Miss Railey, and Miss Willard ap- 
pear in the list of teachers. Grace B. Savage is at her father's 
home in Watertown, Mass. M. Crissie Shedd is taking a 
four years' course at I'ramingham Norma) School ; Fred E. 
Morse has spent two years at Lawrence University, Appleton, 
Wis., and is now in Boston University ; Raymond P. Walker is 
now in the second year of his theological studies at Boston 
University ; Alfred A. Wheeler has this year entered Harvard 
College. 

Class of '87. Of the members of this class, Mary E. Bur- 
gess is at Cushing Academy ; E. Harry Rockwell and Allen C. 
Crocker at the Polytechnic Institute, Worcester ; Edward Earl 
at the Institute of Technology, Boston ; Edgar D. Shaw at 
Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H. ; and Appleton H. Pierce at 
Harvard College. Clara L. Richardson, W'innifred A. Rich- 
ardson, Jennie E. Killelea, L. Lizzie Reynolds, and Minnie E. 
Sullivan are in Leominster. (The name of Miss Reynolds ap- 
pears in the list of teachers, and Miss Sullivan is organist at 
St. Leo's Church). Lucius W. Richardson studied at Bryant 
& Stratton's, and is now in Boston. 

Class of '88. Mattie E. Cutting and Mabel H. Goodale 
have entered the State Normal School, Worcester ; Hattie A. 
Rugg is fitting for Smith College ; Edith M. Smith is book- 
keeper in her father's ofifice. North Leominster ; Ruth K. Hur- 
rage is at her home in Shirley ; Gertrude M. Carter is studying 
in the Training Class. Carrie L. Felton, second daughter of 
Mr. Samuel Felton, was taken sick in the early summer and 
died, after a short but painful illness, at her father's home, on 
Grove Avenue. She expected to enter the ^'ormal School and 



r 



84 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

o-ave promise of doing excellent work as a teacher. Alice ]\T. 
Ellcck remains at home. Louis A. Wheeler is preparing for 
a further course of study in one of the colleges. 

PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

Leominster has a large and well-selected Library. The 
interest of the people in matters of this kind dates back to 
1763, when what was known as the Social Library was pur- 
chased. It consisted of 100 books and was kept for fifty years 
in the study of Rev. Francis (lardncr. Other collections of 
books were made by different Societies and School wards as 
the years went by, but in 1856 all these were merged in one 
and accepted by the Town as the beginning of a Public 
Library. T'rom that time until now the town has made an 
annual appropriation for the support of the Library. The 
meeting of the first library committee was held at the ofiFice 
of J. C. Allen, May 21st, 1856. J. C. Allen was the first Sec- 
retary, D. R. Haynes the first Treasurer, and Thomas Tinker 
the first Librarian. The Library was kept in Mr. Tinker's 
store, next door to what is now A. L. Williams & Co.'s gro- 
cery store until 1863, when it was removed to the office of C. 
W. Carter in a small building where Wood's block now stands. 
Mr. Carter acting as librarian for one year. In 1864 the town 
received a bequest of 35003 from the estate of J. Henry Ken- 
dall for the founding of a Public Library. The Town Hall 
was raised and the present library room was fitted up, the 
library taking possession in April, 1864. From this time it has 
increased regularly, both in the number of books and in public 
fayor. Mr. James M. Bronson has been librarian since 1864. 
The library now contains about ten thousand volumes. 

In 1866 a Reading Room Association was formed, and in 
1869 this branch of work was taken in charge by the Town and 
made a part of the library. The Reading Room is now sup- 





JAMES BENNtTT. 



REV. E. A. r.OSTG.' 







REV WM. J. BATT 



JAMES M. BRONSON. 



EDUCATIOXAL 85 

plied with a larj^e luimbcr of daily and weekly papers, nioiUhlies 
and other periodicals. I^'ew towns of the size of Leominster 
have as equally good Library and Reading Room. 

DR. (IF.ORr.E W. IMEKCK. 

No mention of the Library would seem finished, which did 
not give prominence to the name of Dr. George \V. Pierce, 
lie was for many years an active and energetic member of the 
Committee in charge of its affairs. He had a great love for 
books and a clear understanding of their value. It is true that 
his habits of reading and his natural tendency of mind, led him 
to study science more than literature ; but he had a good knowl- 
edge of the best authors and his advice in the selection of 
books was most valuable. The service, which he gave, was not 
one in name only, but one of loving regard for- the growth and 
usefulness of the Library as well. Nothing which promised 
good results in this direction was foreign to his thought or his 
heart. Hence Dr. Pierce was one of the first to plan and work 
for a reading room in connection with the Library. He saw 
plainly how great would be the influence for good of this depart- 
ment in the coming years. It is not too much to say that the 
town is very largely indebted to the wise and faithful service of 
Dr. Pierce in connection with its Public Library. The same is 
also true of the Museum, in which, from the start, he was 
greatly interested. 

Dr. George W. I'ierce was born at West Boylston, Mass , 
Oct. 15th, 1816. He was educated at Leicester Academy and 
graduated at Harvard Medical School, in the class of '45. For 
a short time he practised his profession in Bolton, but came to 
Leominster in 1847, where he resided until his death in May, 
1886. He was twice married. In 1851, to a Miss Damaris 
Halch, of a family widely connected in Leominster ; and in 
1869, to Mrs. Charlotte H. Carter of Lowell, Mass. Four 
children by the first marriage, and one by the last, survive him. 



S6 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Dr. Pierce belonged to Leominster. He came here as a 
young man, married from this people, reared and educated his 
children here, was the family physician in many homes, and 
was for almost forty years a vital part of this whole community. 
He lived and rejoiced in its atmosphere, gloried in its prosper- 
ity, planned for its material, intellectual and moral growth, and 
labored with no divided heart and no stinted wisdom for its 
best and largest interests. When he died he was more than an 
old resident ; he was, in the truest sense, a citizen of Leomin- 
ster. No plan looking to her good could be devised of which he 
was not a part. His services were freely given and always ef- 
fective for the best and most permanent improvements in town. 
And yet, Dr. Pierce was at his best, where most men fail, /'. r. 
in his own home. He could make, and did make, a home in 
the best sense of the word. No better thing could be said of 
him than this: "He was always his children's hero." Dr. 
Pierce was a worthy representative of a noble profession, rank- 
ing high among his brethren ; a man kind, indulgent and help- 
ful in his home life ; a gentleman by nature and practice ; a 
citizen who desired and planned for the best things, and who 
gave his services when and where he could, without hope of 
reward or desire for recognition. His will always be an hon- 
ored name in the history of Leominster. 

THE MUSEUM. 

The museum owes its origin to the zealous efforts of Rev. 
Wm. J. Batt with the co-operation of James Bennett, Esq., 
and Dr. G. VV. Pierce, whose interest in geological and anti- 
quarian research caused them to render valuable aid. In Dec. 
1 87 1 the museum was established, five trustees were chosen. 
Rev. Wm. J. Batt, Dr. C. C. Eield, Joel Smith, J. C. Allen and 
T. A. Hills, who, together with the library committee, G. W. 
Pierce, Rev. E. A. Horton, S. L. White, Rev. J. D. Miller and 




GEORGE W. PIERCE, M. D. 



EDUCAtlONAL. 



87 



Wm. II. Reed, constituted what was known as the Leominster 
Museum lioard. About five hundred dollars was contributed 
by public spirited citizens and mostly expended in cases and 
material, forming the necleus of the present collection, by a 
committee consisting of Joel Smith, James Bennett and N. C. 
Houtelle. In i88d, with the consent of the trustees, the town 
" voted to accept of the museum as a part of the public library 
and provide for its care, and the Library Committee appointed 
E. G. Davis, curator. This collection contains many interest- 
ing specimens and much valuable historical material. 




GROUP or KKLICS. 

In the matter of contributions, also, there has been mucli 
interest shown by Mr. D. W. Salisbury. Mr. Bennett, Dr. Pierce, 
and many others who have been liberal givers. Among late 
valuable contributions should be mentioned $2000 from the es- 
tate of Capt. Leonard Burrage. Both Library and Museum 
are growing in popular favor. 



CHAPTKR \'I. 



PATRIOTISM. 




LL through its history as a town, Leom- 
inster has been noted for its military 
spirit. In the old French and Indian 
war in 1757, a full company of soldiers 
was furnished to go to the relief of Fort 
William and Henry, and October 9th, 
1760, they all returned and united with 
their friends in a general Thanksgiving 
over the total reduction of Canada. 
During the Revolutionary War there were fully three hun- 
dred men from Leominster, enlisted for various terms of ser- 
vice, from minute men to regular soldiers for three years, a 
surplus of thirteen men beyond the full quotas under the vari- 
ous calls. The records of meetings on the Town books leave 
no doubt as to the patriotism of the inhabitants. 

As early as March 3d, 1766, an address to the people of 
Boston, who were enduring great hardships on account of the 
unjust laws of the British Parliament, was adopted in Town 
Meeting, expressing clearly their views on the subject of civil 
and religious liberty, and closing with the following para- 
graph : "/fV Dtust, wc can, and tiv ivill be free. We cannot 



PATKIOTISM. 89 

part with our creation ris^ht. We are oblij^ed to forever assert 
it, as it is our glory to be in subjection to tiiat Supreme Heing, 
that formed us free." 

In September, 1768, a committee of three was chosen to 
meet others in Boston, to consider the dangerous situation of 
the country. 

In January, 1773, several votes were passed in Town 
Meeting in approbation of the doings of the town of Boston 
in regard to Public Grievances. 

In August, 1774, a committee of correspondence was 
chosen. These committees, in the various towns, wei^c a 
channel ot intelligence and a bond of union of great assist- 
ance to the cause and led to the api)ointnient of Dejiuties to 
meet in General Congress. 

After the passage of the act of Parliament for shutting up 
tlie Von of Boston, the committee, appointed by the town, 
recommended among other measures, "That we will heartily 
endeavor, as much as in us lies, to awaken and stir up every 
person to a thorough sense of the real certainty there now is 
of America being reduced to the most abject slavery and pov'- 
erty ; and the danger there is of the loss of our religious as 
well as our civil rights and jirixilcges, unless we unitedly 
endeavor, by a steady and manly opposition, to prevent it." 

After all other means, to preserve the rights of freemen, had 
been resorted to in vain, and it became necessary to take up 
arms in defence of their liberties, the inhabitants of Leomin- 
ster were as prompt to act as they had been to resolve. At 
the first alarm, April 19th, 1775, fifteen men left their respect- 
ive homes and marched to Lexington. A full company was 
on the same day enlisted into the Continental Service for eight 
months, and placed under the command of Col. Asa Whitcomb, 
on Prospect Mill in Cambridge. Nearly all were from this 
town, with the following Leominster officers : Captain, Da\id 
12 



9© LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Wilder ; Lieutenant, Timothy Boutelle ; Sergeants, William 
Warner, Josiah Carter and Peter Joslin ; Corporals, Levi War- 
ner, Samuel Buss and James Butler ; Drummer, Thomas Rog- 
ers ; Fifer, Abijah Haskell. On the 15th of July, 1776, the 
town voted Independency of Great Britain, and a copy of the 
Declaration by Congress was entered on the Town Records. 

Throughout the struggle the inhabitants complied with all 
the requirements made upon them, being frequently called 
upon by the State, in emergencies, to furnish men on short 
enlistments. On one occasion, in 1777, in addition to numer- 
ous volunteers, a whole company went under command of Capt. 
John Joslin to assist in preventing the march of Gen. Bur- 
goyne's army from Canada. They were in season to engage in 
the battle of Bennington, and at the first fire received from the 
enemy, Thomas Joslin, the youngest brother of the Captain, 
was shot through the heart. 

In 1777, Congress issued a call for three years men, and the 
town voted to raise ^500 to pay those who should enlist. We 
are unable to give the names of all who entered the service 
under this call, but among the number were : John Joslin, John 
Buss, Levi Phelps, Edward Phelps, Levi I^lood, Caleb Wood, 
Peter Joslin, Thomas Robbins, Samuel Jones, Samuel Hough- 
ton, Samuel Rogers, and jDrobably five or si.x others. They 
participated in several battles, and with the exception of Peter 
Joslin and Samuel Rogers, lived to return home at the expira- 
tion of their term of service. Most of them lived to a good 
old age, four of them remaining in town. John Buss died in 
1845 and Edward Phelps, the last survivor, in 185 i. 

It is a matter worthy of record that during the Revolution, 
in all the one hundred and fifty-three families in town, not a 
person was accused, or even suspected, of being a Tory or un- 
friendly to the cause, and that during the war the inhabitants 



PATRIOTISM. 91 

contributed $30,000 and 7534 lbs. of beef and a lot of blankets 
for men in the service. 

shays' rkhkllion. 

The town had sustained itself nobly throuj^h the Revolu- 
tion, furnishiiiL;" more than its proportion of men and means, 
and in common with the rest of the Commonwealth, its people 
were greatly involved in debt. There was very little hard 
money in circulation and the Continental Currency had become 
greatly depreciated, but notwithstanding these unfavorable 
circumstances, the men of this town, as a rule, sustained their 
credit and eventually paid their debts, although some few sold 
their farms for paper money, and when it became worthless, 
were ruined. 

Many other towns were less fortunate than ours, especially 
in Worcester County. Taxes were high and lands and goods 
were levied upon and sacrificed for debts. At last the dissatis- 
faction and feeling against the Courts developed into open 
rebellion, in which crisis this town maintained its integrity by 
sustaining the Government. The leader of this insurrection, 
one Daniel Shays, in 1786 assembled his armed mob to stop 
the Courts, and sent a message to the judges of the Supreme 
Court, then about to hold its session at Springfield, ordering 
them not to open their court or indict the rebels. About the 
same time a body of men had CDllected to stop the Court of 
Common Pleas at Worcester. At this juncture Leom.inster 
sent out a whole company with officers for the relief of the 
Courts at Worcester, and also a part of a company with two 
superior officers, Ensign John Buss and Major (afterward Col.) 
Timothy Boutclle, to assist in dispersing a camp of the Shayites 
at Petersham. It was an intensely cold night and many of the 
soldiers were frozen on the march. Colonel lioutelle led the 
advance guard. Arrixing in Petersham before sunrise, he sur- 



92 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

prised the rebels in their beds. They surrendered without re- 
sistance. 

At Springfield the insurgeants, headed by Shays, ap- 
proached the Court House, and passing beyond a forbidden 
point, were fired upon by the militia men twice without effect. 
At the third volley three of the insurgents fell dead and others 
were wounded. The rest retreated without firing a gun. 
Thus ended the Shays' Rebellion. Col. Boutelle was accorded 
great credit for the tact and skill exhibited in breaking up the 
camp at Petersham, and for many years held command of the 
regiment. Ensign Buss was soon promoted and was for sev- 
eral years Captain of the South company in this town. 

WAR OF 1812. 

In the war of 18 12, a complete company of artillery under 
command of Captain Joseph Tenney was sent from here to 
South Boston to help protect the harbor of Boston from the 
British, who had determined upon laying waste the whole 
American coast from Maine to Georgia. The company re- 
mained on duty as long as its services were required, when 
it returned, and years afterwards each soldier received a 
pension from the government in recognition of this service. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

In the War of the Rebellion Leominster furnished 404 men, 
which was in excess of her full quota under the different calls, 
and came out with a considerable surplus to her credit. 
The town was always prompt in furnishing requisitions from 
the government for military supplies and in the voluntary con- 
tributions of articles for the relief of her men in the hospitals, 
and after battles, and since the war, has not forgotten the men 
who served her in the days of peril, but has been ever ready to 
relieve their necessities and provide for their families. Leom- 



PATRIOTISM. 93 

instcr was largely represented in the 15th, 21st, 23(1, 25th, 320!, 
36th, 53clancl 57th regiments, and had representatives in every 
branch of the service. There were few of the great battles in 
which Leominster men did not take an honorable part. 

It is a fact greatly to be regretted, that so much of the mil- 
itary history of this town is lost or scattered ; that, during 
the War of the Rebellion there was no local paper to chronicle 
the doings of her citizens at home and in the field. The town 
records and a few published orations give only a faint reflec- 
tion of the patriotic enthusiasm which pervaded the commun- 
ity and made this town second to no other of its size in the 
State in its support of the government. 

The early scenes of the rebellion are still fresh in the 
minds of many who were living at that time: The Secession 
of the Southern States — the attack on Fort Sumter — the call 
of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers — the 
attack on the 6th Mass., while passing through Baltimore — the 
mass meetings of citizens — the intense excitement of that first 
Sunday (in war times) with its services of a patriotic nature — 
the enlisting of volunteers — their parades and drills — their im- 
patience at not being called into service, and their final depart- 
ure for the seat of war — the tender parting of soldiers with 
their friends (to many the last on earth) — and then the news of 
Ball's Bluff with its terrible slaughter, and of subsequent battles 
and campaigns in all of which the friends and families of Leom- 
inster soldiers were anxiously interested. 

At the time of the breaking out of the rebellion there was 
one company of militia in town. The Old Military Co. A. of 
Leominster. This company had kept up its organization from 
the time the " order to raise " was issued from headquarters in 
May, 1789. For more than 60 years it had been known as the 
Leominster Artillery, but after the war of 18 12 was changed 
to Infantry, and previous to the rebellion was in good condi- 



94 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

tion. Within one week after the first requisition of the Presi- 
dent they were thoroughly drilled, equipped and ready to march.' 
When the order was promulgated to receive none but those 
who would go for three years, and the maximum should be loi, 
they filled the company to that number and were soon after 
ordered into camp at Worcester. Before leaving town Capt. 
Rockvvood was presented with a sword by citizens of the town, 
the Rev. Eli Fay making the presentation speech. Few real- 
ized upon that occasion that this company of young men were 
leaving for three long years of hardship and suffering, and that 
many of their number would be killed in battle, become the 
victims of rebel brutality in Southern prison pens, be wounded 
or maimed for life or die from disease contracted in the army. 

To show the patriotic spiritof the times, we give the follow- 
ing extracts from Mr. Fay's speech : " Captain Rockvvood : 
Your fellow citizens have thought it proper to make some ex- 
pression of their appreciation of your willingness to leave the 
quiet scenes in which you have so long mingled and to serve 
your race, your country, and your God, on the battlefield ; and 
they have chosen me as their representative, to express, as 
words can but feebly express, the satisfaction we feel that you 
are willing to go and to lead a goodly number of our fellow cit- 
izens to the field of mortal combat (if need be) in defense of 
the liberties of our country. * * * ^j^- • \Ve have given 
you our men — our young men — we have given them understand- 
ing the awful hazard of war, and I charge you, before God, to 
bring them back to us alive, or bring back to our distressed 
country, in order and liberty, the price of their blood. And as 
a slight testimonial of the profound sympathy which the com- 
munity feel for you in view of the trying and responsible duties 
of your post, they have requested me to present this sword to 
you. Sir : Minister of the gospel of peace, as I am, yet under 
the circumstances, I cheerfully comply with that request. * * 





Rev. ELI FAY, D. D. 



CAPT. g. w. rockwood. 





CAPT. J A. STRATTON. 



CAPT. G. W. BROWN. 



PATRIOTISM. 95 

Take this sword as an expression of our sympathy for you and 
an assurance that our best wishes go with you ; and, by your 
regard for our town — by the honor of our commonwealth — l)y 
your pride of country — by our sense of the justice of our cause 
— by the remembrance of our revolutionary sires — by the 
price paid for our liberties — by the stars and stripes that float 
over us — by the shattered flag-staff of Fort Sumter — by the 
blood of our murdered citizens — by the value of our free insti- 
tutions — and by the love of God, do your whole duty, and may 
the arm of the Omnipotent uphold you ! " 

It shijuld be said, in this connection, that by word and deed, 
in season and out of season, Rev. Mr. Fay labored to 
helj) on the good work, lie was a host in himself, hred by true 
patriotism, he gave his hand and his heart to the cause of his 
country and rendered erficient ser\'ice in the business of re- 
cruiting. 

Rev. George S. Hall, the brave Chaplain of the 2ist Regi- 
ment, also accomplished much by patriotic speeches and direct 
personal influence. The town voted appropriations of money 
and serviceable uniforms and other clothing, and individuals 
gave liberally. The Messrs. Burrage of Boston, Johnson C, 
.\l\ah A., and Charles H., natives of Leominster, gave $8io 
for the purchase of ec(uiiipnients. In addition to this, Mr. A. 
A. Burrage offered the sum of $ioo to any one of the Burrage 
name, or any one connected with him by blood or marriage, 
who should enlist within a specified time. These are only a few 
of the many instances that might be mentioned. The ladies of 
the town formed a "Soldier's Aid Society" and carried out a 
systematic plan of operations, preparing and sending to the 
soldiers in camp such things as would contribute to their com- 
fort. 

Upon the breaking out of war the Leominster liand, re- 
cruited to 24 pieces, was accepted and went as the First Rc^i- 



96 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ment Band of Mass. V. M. They went into camp about the 
first of May, and were fifteen months in active service ; co- 
workers with the soldiers, doing their share of picket duty, and 
caring for the wounded. Upon the discharge of the Regiment- 
al Bands of the Army, by act of Congress, in July, 1862, the 
Leominster Band returned home. But several of their number 
enlistied in the regular service. 

We have not the space in this book to give even a brief 
history of the different regiments having Leominster men in 
their ranks, but some idea of the dangers and hardships of the 
four years' straggle m.iy be gained by the record of those who 
died during that time. After the principal battles of the war, 
in which Leominster men were engaged, the town 'sent promi- 
nent citizens to the front to look after the dead and wounded, 
as well as the sick, taking with them articles of wearing apparel 
and comforts of various kinds, and they were often privileged 
to witness, and afterwards report to friends at home, instances 
of patient endurance and heroism. 

ROLL OF HONOR. 

To the earnest and persistent efforts of the late James Ben- 
nett, Esq., in searching for information, we are indebted for the 
following facts in connection with each of the forty-eight sol- 
diers whose names are enscribed on the Soldiers' Monument. 

FRONT TABLET. 

Corporal Andrew W. Cowdrev, the first martyr from 
Leominster, was severely wounded at Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21st, 
and died of his wounds, Nov. 3d, 1861, at Poolesville hospital, 
Maryland shore. He left a wife and two children, and was 
buried in Leominster with military honors. 

George H. Gallup, son of James B. Gallup, was taken sick 
with typhoid fever at Savage Station, left behind at Chickahom- 



PATRIOTISM. 97 

ill)', taken prisoner by the rebels, and cofincd in Lil)by Prison. 
W'itb only the floor for his bed, he received neither eare nor 
medicine for twenty-seven days. When exchan^^ed he was in a 
weak and reduced condition, and had an attack of diphtheria, 
and died of suffocation from falling into a foul vault at the hos- 
})ital, Fortress Monroe, Aug. 6th, 1862. 

CoKl'OKAL I'^K ANKI.IX GARDNER waS OUC of thc " Color 

guard," and at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17th, took up the 
colors from the third color bearer, who had been shot dead at 
his side. He received three balls ; the first passed through a 
limb, the second through his thigh, the third in his stomach. 
Regardless of these wounds he managed to keep the flag wav- 
ing until the next guard took it. From Wednesday morning, 
Sept. 17th, until F'riday morning of the same week, he lay 
within thc enemy's lines. W'hen our men went to bury the 
dead and remove the wounded, he was placed in the hospital at 
Sharpsburg, and removed Sept. 25th, to Patent Oflfice hospital, 
Washington, where he died Oct. 6th, 1862. 

Capt. Ha.ns Peter Jorgensex, a native of Copenhagen, 
Denmark, enlisted as Orderly Sergeant. At Ball's Bluff he was 
wounded in the right arm. He was detailed to recruit, but af- 
terwards promoted to Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and 
Oct. 28th, 1862, to Captain, in commmd of his old Company 
-A, and was killed. 

Capt. Jorgensen had seen service in the campaigns of the 
Danish Army and was twice wounded while fighting the Prus- 
sians at Schleswig and Holstein ; once in the arm by a ball and 
on the head by a sabre. " He was not a native of this country. 
He could not have been drafted, yet so keen was his apprecia- 
tion of the great interests at stake, that he is reported in the 
W'orcis/i-r Spy to have said : ' Freetlom is the same everywhere 
and I cheerfully give my life in its tiefense. I would gi\e more 
if I had it,' or words to that elfect," 
13 



98 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Corporal Charles A. Lamb, son of Albert Lamb, was 
taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff. At Libby Prison he sickened 
and died of congestion of the lungs, Nov. 25th, 1861. 

Sergeant Edward B. Rollins, after fighting bravely at 
Ball's Bluff, succeeded in crossing the river safely, but on look- 
ing back to the Virginia shore he saw some of his comrades, 
who were not yet taken prisoners. He procured a skiff, rowed 
it over amid the whistling of balls, took in his passengers, and 
landed them in safety. Two years later, he sent his wife a 
beautifully wrought card with the names of eleven hard fought 
battles in which he had been engaged. He left a space for one 
more, and wrote, that after one more battle, he should probably 
come home. He went into his twelfth battle, Gettysburg, and 
was killed July 2d, 1863. He left a wife and four small child- 
ren. 

Capt. Charles H. Stevens enlisted as Fourth Sergeant. 
He was promoted to 2d Lieut., ist Lieut., and, July 4th, 1863, 
to Captain. He was wounded in the foot at Savage Station, 
and in the leg, while supporting our batteries at Gettysburg. 
At Bristow Station, Oct. 15th, 1863, after an hour's hard fight- 
ing, the enemy gave way ; but Capt. Stevens was severely 
wounded, and died while being carried to the hospital. In his 
honor Post 53, G. A. R., was named. 

John Gould Snow, only son of Thomas S. Snow, was at 
Ball's Bluff and in si.K other battles. He died of chronic diar- 
rhoea, Dec. 10, 1863, at Fairfax hospital, Va. 

Sergeant John Q. A. Tripp was in seventeen battles. He 
was wounded at Gettysburg, captured at Petersburg, taken to 
Andersonville, parolled, entered our lines exhausted by starva- 
tion, cold, and sickness, and died in a Baltimore hospital, Mar. 
19th, 1864. He was buried with military honors at Leomin- 
ster, March 23d, 1864. 

SERGEi^NT George E. Wilder, son of George Wilder, was 







C^i 


4 









<;» 






4>v 4 



■^. N 












\. W. L'owdrcy. ( ;. H. CJalliip. K. Gardner. Capt. Jorgenscn. C. A. I.amb. E.U.Rollins. 

C.npi. C. H. Stevens. J. C. Snow. J. Q. A. Tripp. G. E. Wilder. C. B. Wood. R. H. Carter. 

J.F.Crosby. W.H.Johnson. J. M. Mcllen. J.E.Marshall. J. C. Ready. C.H.Sinclair. 

Lieut. A. R. Glover. A. H. Carter. C. H. Derby. H. K. Derby. L.Goodrich. L.R.Gallup. 

A. B. Osborn. J. 1". Owens. A. L. Wilder. J.McDonough. D. Butlerficld. E. A. f:ilick. 

J. It. Foster. E.Hardy. A. W. Johnson. M. L. Jordan. J. M. Lewis. L.Richardson. 



LEOMINSTER ROLL OF HONOR. 



PATRIOTISM. 99 

shot in the head at the battle near Spottsylvania, and died May 
17th, 1864. 

Charles B. Wood was drowned March 20th, 1862, while 
relieving guard on a dark, stormy night, on the banks of the 
Chesapeake and Ohio canal. 

William L. Wihtnev, private, died of fever at the hospital 
in Washington. 

RIGHT TABLET. 

Geo. W. Divoll, 7th Mass. Battery, died in the hospital in 
New Orleans of chronic diarrhoea, Sept. 21st, 1864. 

Horace R. Barker, private in 21st Reg., Co. D, died at 
Xewbern, N. C, of typhoid fever, April 19, 1862. 

RuFUS H. Carter, 21st Reg., Co. D, was mustered out at 
Blaine's Cross Roads, East Tennessee, Dec. 31, 1863. He 
re-enlisted in the Veteran Volunteers and was killed at Peters- 
burg, Va., by Sharpshooters, Sept. 30, 1864. ) 

Albert F. Creed, 21st Reg., died at Newbcrn, of typhoid 
fever. May 21, 1862. 

John- F. Crosbv, 23d Reg., Co. D, was wounded by 
the enemy at the battle of Kingston, and afterwards was shot in 
the back by the accidental discharge of a musket in the hands 
of a comrade. He was helped to an ambulance and was four 
weeks in the hospital at Xewbern. He was sent north by 
steamer, but died in New York Harbor, April 22, 1865. Ik- 
was buried in Leominster, with military honors. 

SERfJEAXT Artemas S. Farwell, first enlisted in a New 
Hampshire Regiment. He served his time, re-enlisted in the 
25th Mass., Co. F, and died of diphtheria, Nov. 23d, 1862. He 
was burietl in Leominster. 

1-'kank C,k()R(;e, 3d Reg., Mass. Cavalry, Co. D, was taken 
prisoner in the Shenandoah Valley, with his entire Company, 
captured by two companies of rebels in United States uniforms 
and carrying the Union Flag. They stripped them of their 



100 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

clothing, and marched them on foot 5 days without rations. He 
was first imprisoned at Belle Isle, then at Andersonville, and 
afterwards hurried away to Salisbury, upon the approach of 
Sherman's army, where he died of starvation, Dec. 6, 1864 
He left a family. 

George A. Houghton, 21st Reg., Co. I., died of ship-fever 
at Hatteras Inlet, on board the transport ship "Northerner," 
Jan. 20, 1862. He was buried in the sand on the beach by 
chaplain, Geo. S. Ball, and a band of sailors who volunteered to 
go ashore in a violent gale. 

William H. Johnson, 21st Reg., Co. H, died of typhoid 
fever, in the hospital at Newbern, June 18, 1862. He left a 
wife. 

Capt. James Masters Mellen, ist Mass., Co. A, re-en- 
listed Oct. 18, 1863, as 1st Lieut., 3d North Carolina, Colored 
Vols., and was killed at Wilmington, N. C, Sept. 23, 1865. 
His commission as Captain arrived two days after his death. 

James E. Marshall, 32d Reg., Co. I, was shot dead near 
Laurel Hill, Va., May 12, 1864. 

John C. Ready, ist Reg., Co. A, died of wounds received 
at the second battle of Fair Oaks, Va., July 6, 1862. 

Charles H. Sinclair, 21st Reg., Co. A, was killed at 
Newbern, March 14, 1862. 

left tablet. 

First Lieltt. Alfred R. Glover, 53d Reg., Co. C, was 
killed while attacking the works at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863. 

Corporal Albert H. Carter, 36 Reg., Co. A, was shot 
dead near Spottsylvania, in the battle of the Wildernes.s, May 
6, 1864. 

Sergeant Charles H. Derbv, 36th Reg., Co. A, was 
killed at Hanover Court House, Va. 

Henry K. Derby, had not been assigned to Reg. and Co., 



PATRIOTISM. 10 1 

wlicn he was taken sick at Fort Warren. He came home on a 
furlough, and died of pneumonia at his father's home, Henry 
Derby's, Jan. 5th, 1862. 

CoRPOR.\L Leonard Goodrich, 36th Reg., Co. A, died of 
t\'[)hoid fever at Washington, Dec. 31st, 1862. 

Sergeant LkRov R. Gallup, 36th Reg., Co. A, was 
killed by the premature bursting of one of our own shells 
while lying in front of and supporting our batteries at Camp- 
bell's Station, near Knoxville, Tenn. He left a wife and two 
children. 

Roland H. ]\rooRE, 36th Reg., Co. C, died of chronic 
diarrhoea, at Rialston Station, Va., Dec. 6, 1863. 

Andrew B. Osborx, 36th Reg., Co. A, was discharged 
April 22, 1863, for disability. He re-enlisted in the i6th Mass. 
Battery, March 11, 1864, and died of heart disease, at Camp 
Augue, gen. hospital, Alexandria, Va., Jan. 31, 1865. He left 
a wife and two children. He was buried in Leominster with 
military honors. 

John F. Owens, 5th Reg., Co. E, died of diphtheria, in camji, 
at Readville, April 13, 1865. He was buried in Leominster, 
with military honors. The Sons of Temperance, of which 
ortler he was a member, joined in the service. 

John Sciiouw, a native of Amsterdam, Holland, 29th 
Reg., Co. H, died of dysentery on board of a transport ship, at 
the wharf, Cairo, 111., Aug. 20, 1863. He left a wife and one 
child. 

Albert Lapavette Wilder, 3d Reg., Co. D, (Cavalry), 
wa.s taken prisoner at the same time and jilace, and undei- the 
.same circumstances as his brother-in-law, Frank George. He 
v/eighed 180 pounds when taken ; died of starvation about the 
time Frank George died. 

BACK tablet, 

John McDonough, 2Cth Reg.. Co. !•". was killed at the 



102 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

battle of Antictam, September 17th, 1862. 

Daniel Butterfield, 530! Reg., Co. C, died of erysipelas, at 
St. Louis, Mo., May 4, 1862. 

Eli a. Ellick, Veteran Reserves, Jan. i, 1864, was killed 
at Petersburg, Va., June i/tb, 1865. 

Ira B. Foster, 53d Reg., Co. C, was wounded in the neck, 
near Port Hudson. He went to the rear and had his wound 
bound with cotton to stop the flow of blood. As it was early in 
the morning, he returned and fought the rest of the day, which 
was his last day's service. He was sent to Baton Rouge Hos- 
pital, where he died. He left a wife and child. 

John Ferguson,, 53d Reg., Co. C, died of chronic diar- 
rhoea, in the hospital at New Orleans, June 15,1863. He left 
a wife. 

Edmund Hardy, 53d Reg. died of diarrhcea at Breasha 
City, May 30, 1863. He left a wife. 

Adelbert W. Johnson, 53d Reg., Co. C, was severely 
wounded at Port Hudson, from the effects of which he died 
July II, 1863. 

Martin Luther Jordan, 57th Reg., Co. H., died of pneu- 
monia in the hospital at Washington, June 9, 1864. 

Sergeant James Munford Lewis, fife major 53d Reg. 
Co. C, came home sick and died at home before he was mus- 
tered out of the service. He left a wife. 

Lewis Richardson, 57th Reg., Co. H, was killed at the 
battle of the Wilderness, May 6th, 1864. 
George Thompson, 53d Reg., Co. A. 

Eugene Sullivan, 36th Reg., Co. A, died of fever, at 
Nicholson ville, Ky., Sept. i, 1863. 

Capt. Leonard Wood was for many years an active part 
of the social, religious and business life of Leominster. Before 
the rebellion he was engaged in the provision business of North 
Leominster, but in August, 1861, he was mustered into the ser- 



rATRIOTISM. 103 

\icc as 1st Lieutenant of Co. K, 15th Rc<^. M. V. M., and jxir- 
ticipatcd in its camj^ai-^ns anti engagements. 

October 22(1, 1861, Capt. Moses Gaskell having been killed 
in the battle of Ball's Bluff, Lieut. Wood was prc^moted to take 
his place. At this battle he had displayed great courage, rising 
from a sick bed that he might take part in the engagement. 
After serving through the Peninsular, Antietam and l''reder- 
icksburg campaigns, as one of the bravest officers in a regi- 
ment which saw perhaps as much and as hard service as any in 
the army, he resigned his commission and was discharged Jan- 
uary 16, 1863. 

After his return from the army Capt. Wood resumed his 
business in North Leominster, and under the ministr)' ol the 
Re\. W'm. j. Hatt, of the ()rthocU».\ Congregational Society, 
united with that church becoming at once a prominent and use- 
ful member. He served the church as deacon, the Sunday- 
school as teacher and superintendent, and the Society as parish 
committee. He gave liberally and to the full measure of his 
means, and was active in securing funds from others for the 
building of the present church edifice. Later on he was the 
soul of the movement which resulted in the formation of the 
church in North Leominster, and also gave liberally of his 
means and energies towards their jM-esent house of worshiji. 
Besides his church work he was also an active worker in the 
tern Iterance cause. 

In addition to his North Leominster business. Capt. Wood 
was for some time a member of the firm of Ilallett & Wood, 
provision dealers, at the market now owned by Conant & [Morse. 
In 1 879, desiring to carry on a more extensive business, he 
moved to Bridgeport, Conn., and with Mr. Hallett began the 
wholesale meat business which he followed up to the time of 
his death. Feb. 6, 1886. 

The funeral services were held in the North Leominster 



104 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

church, Rev. Wm. J. Batt having charge of the services, as- 
sisted by Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille, pastor of the church at 
Bridgeport, of which Capt. Wood was a deacon, Rev. Mr. Jones 
of the North Leominster church, and Rev. Richard Meredith 
of the Orthodox church. 

The relations between Mr. Batt and Deacon Wood were 
unusually tender and fraternal. At the time and ever after Mr. 
Wood determined to seek a higher and better life, he had the 
sympathy and encouragement of his pastor, and between them 
there existed the closest and most sacred intimacy. In his 
remarks Mr. Batt described the life, character, work and even 
the peculiarities of Deacon Wood, showing that through all 
these years, in Bridgeport as well as Leominster, he was the 
same earnest, enthusiastic, whole-souled, uncompromising friend 
of temperance, morality and religion, and had the same interest 
in the well being of his fellow uilmi that characterized his new 
life in this town. 

A short time before his death, at a re-union of the Old 15th 
Regiment, Capt. Wood, in responding to "Antietam", closed 
his remarks by throwing back his coat and showing a fragment 
of the standard of his regiment containing two stars shot from 
it at the battle of Antietam and which he had preserved 
through all these years, said : "Boys : when I am laid to rest I 
hope to have these go with me." This wish was regarded and 
those honored emblems were pinned on his breast over his 
heart ; a last and most fitting tribute to a brave officer and a 
true man. 

Capt. Lucien A. Cook was born in Leominster, August 
6th, 1838. He was educated in his native town, attending the 
Leominster High School. 

At the breaking out of the war in 1861, he was a member 
of the Leominster Light Infantry, and with that organization 
was mustered into the service of the United States July 12th, 




-\^ 



y 




Col. GEO. C. JOSLIN. 



Caot. LEONARD WOOD. 







y 



H 



capt. l. a cook. 



Capt. E. a. BENNETT. 



PATRIOTISM. 105 

1861. The Comi)any was designated as Co. A, 15th Keginieiit, 
Mass. Volunteers. He was in all the actions in which that 
gallant regiment participated, until his capture at Antietam. 
lie was taken to Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., and after a few 
weeks was parolled and carried to Camp Paroll, Annapolis, 
Md., and shortly after came home as a parolled prisoner. On 
account of injuries received at the time of his capture, a 
severe attack of fever and ague, and general disability, incident 
to severe campaigns and prison life, he received an honorable 
discharge Dec. 31st, 1862. During the year 1863 he resided a 
short time in Brookfield, Conn., and after his return to Leom- 
inster, received notice that he had been drafted to hi) the quota 
of l^rookhcld. He at once reported to the authorities in 
Conn., but was rejected. It being his wish to do such military 
tluty as lay in his power, he enlisted in a Hand organized by 
P. S. Gilmore, for service in the gulf States, Nov. 23d, 1863. 
This Band was known as the ist Brigade Band, and a part of 
the time was assigned to the 8ist Reg. U. S. Colored In- 
fantry, Department of the Gulf. By reason of failing health 
he was discharged at New Orleans, July 20th, 1865. 

July 9th, 1868, he, with others, organized Post 53, G. A. R. 
and was elected its first Commander. 

In the Spring of 1868, feeling that Leominster should be 
represented in the State Militia, he, with several other veterans 
of the late war, in twenty-four hours, recruited a company of 
60 men, who were shortly after mustered into the service of 
the State for a term of three years, as Co. K, 10th Reg., M. V. 
M. .At the election of officers he was unanimously chosen 
Captain. While this company was under his command, he was 
one of the most earnest, faithful, and eminently successful 
Company Commanders in the State. During this time the 
Leominster Light Infantry, as an organization, was an honor 
to the State Militia, and to the town of Leominster. This 

u 



I06 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

office he continued to hold until his death, which occurred 
March 13th, 1873. He was buried with the military honors 
due his rank, the funeral being largely attended by the officers 
of the Regiment. Capt. Cook was twice married. His first 
wife was Ellen H. Green of Ashby, Mass., who died April 6, 
1869. March 6, 1873, he was married to Belinda Whitcomb of 
this town. 

Capt. E. A. Bennett, son of Major Thomas S. Bennett, 
was born in Leominster, Jan. ist, 1844. 

Previous to the war he was connected with the State Mil- 
itia, and was also interested in the fire department, being F'ore- 
man of Torrent Engine Company in its palmiest days. 

Upon the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted, July 12, 
1861, with his old Company A, in the 15th Reg., for three 
years, but owing to poor health he received his discharge from 
the service, Eeb. 3d, 1S63, and returned home. He subse- 
quently re-enlisted in the 4th Mass. Cavalry, and was made 
Quarter-master Sergeant. On the morning of the 4th of Feb. 
1865, he was captured by the enemy and remained in Ander- 
sonville prison until the 20th of March following, when he was 
parolled and sent to Vicksburg. Soon after this he returned 
home. Upon the re-organization of the Leominster Light 
Lifantry as Co. K, loth Reg., he was elected First Lieutenant, 
and upon the death of Capt. Cook, succeeded to the command 
of the company. He afterwards felt obliged to resign his com- 
mission on account of his health. 

For four years Captain Bennett was associated with Aldrich 
Cook in the comb business until 1876, when he was obliged to 
give up his business. March 5, 1877, he died at his home on 
West street. Captain Bennett was only 18 years of age when 
he entered the army, and a life of rare promise seemed open 
before him. tie was an active and public spirited young man, 
genial and impulsive, and was liked by all who knew him 



I>ATRIOTISM. ■ 107 

Particularly was this true with the young men of the place, 
among whom he was very popular. His death was keenly felt 
in the community where his social qualities made for him so 
many personal friends among all classes in town. 

Capt. Bennett was married Oct. 23d, 1873, to Hannah B. 
Allen, daughter of the late Joel C. Allen, who survives him. 

Many gallant soldiers went from Leominster, served faith- 
fully during the war, and still survive. We select, in addition 
to some who are mentioned elsewhere, as worthy representa- 
tives. Col. Joslin, and Captains, Rockwood and Brown. 

Col. George C. Joslix was the youngest son of Major 
Klias Joslin, and brother of Mr. Charles L. Joslin, and Mrs. W. 
B. Tisdale of this town, and was born in Leominster, August 
19, 1839. Previous to the war he removed to Worcester, and 
while there he belonged to the City Guards. At the breaking 
out of the war. Major Devens recruited a three-months battal- 
ion of Rifles, and Mr. Joslin accompanied them as 2d Lieu- 
tenant. Before the expiration of their service Major Devens 
was transferred to the command of the 15th Reg., and Lieut. 
Joslin was appointed Captain of Co. i. He participated in the 
campaigns and battles of his regiment until, at Antietam, he 
was wounded, and came home. As soon as he was sufficiently 
recovered he rejoined his regiment. He was surj^rised and 
captured while on a skirmishing expedition, and after being 
confined in several rebel prisons, was held for a time, with 
other officers, as hostages, at Charlestown, S. C, and upon 
being exchanged, returned to his regiment. At the battle of 
Gettysburg, Col. Ward was killed and Col. Joslin assumed 
command during the rest of the battle, and remained in com- 
mand until the regiment was mustered out. Soon after the 
war Col. Joslin went to Chicago, but afterwards returned to 
Boston, where he received an appointment as clerk in the cus- 
tom house. He was afterwards promoted to Assistant Ap- 



108 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

praiser of the dry goods department, which position he now 
holds. 

Captain George W. Rockwood, for several years previ- 
ous to the war, was in the militia service. He was thoroughly 
posted in military matters and extensively known as a good 
disciplinarian. As Commander of Co. A, 15th Reg., he went 
to the war, was captured at Ball's Bluff, and was one of several 
commissioned officers who were held as hostages for the same 
number of rebel privateers of equal rank, who had been cap- 
tured by the U. S. Government. After his release he rejoined 
his regiment, remaining with it until Jan. 26, 1863, when he 
resigned his commission. The officers and men who served 
under Capt. Rockwood, bore testimony to his bravery and 
efficiency, and no officer stands higher in the estimation of 
surviving comrades than he. For several years he has resided 
in Marlboro', Mass., where, together with his son, he has been 
engaged in the ornamental painting business. 

Captain G. W. Brown, was a native of this town, went as 
a private in Co. A, 15th Reg., was promoted through the differ- 
ent grades, until he was made Captain, and came home in 
command of the company after a three years' service. Imme- 
diately after the close of the war, Capt. Brown proceeded to 
Colorado, which was then a territory, and engaged successfully 
in the cattle raising business. He is now a prominent citizen 
of Longmont, Boulder Co., Colorado. 

THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 

The project of a Soldier's Monument was first brought to a 
decisive point in the spring of 1866, when the requisite funds 
were appropriated by the town and a committee empowered to 
carry a plan into effect. This committee consisted of Messrs. 
John H. Lockey, Leonard Burrage, Joel Smith, Solon A. Carter 
and William Tilton. 



PATRIOTISM. 109 

It was at first proposed to erect the monument " within the 
enclosure on the common ;" but in December the present loca- 
tion "on that part of the common in front of the hotel," (the 
hotel then standing on the corner of Pleasant street) was deci- 
ded upon and an extra appropriation made for the additional 
expense of grading. The monument, with its present surround- 
ings, is so well represented in the illustration that little need 
be said by way of description. It is of Quincy granite, rising 
23 1-2 feet from a base, 6 feet and 10 inches square, bearing, 
on the first stone above the base, inscriptions in raised letters, 
on four sides, Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Ball's Bluff and Knox- 
ville. These were the more important battles in which Leom- 
inster soldiers took a part. Above this stone is the die, upon 
the four sides of which are enscribed the names of Leomin- 
ster's fallen heroes, and above the die a handsome obelisk with 
stars represented near the top. 

The monument was completed and formally dedicated Sept. 
I2th, 1867. It was an unusually fine day; nearly every store 
and building was decorated with flags and bunting. The mon- 
ument was wreathed with laurel and profusely decked with 
flowers, and the town was thronged with visitors. The dedica- 
tory exercises took place on the common, in the afternoon. 
The procession (headed by the Leominster Brass Band) under 
command of Capt. Leonard Wood, Marshal of the day, was 
composed of Company K, loth Reg., M. V. M., and past sol- 
diers of this and neighboring towns. Among those who occu- 
])icd scats on the platform were several members of the old 
Leominster Artillery, who served in the war of 181 2, among 
whom may be mentioned Col, Elias Joslin, Phineas Burditt, 
Oliver Barrett, William Boutelle, David Tenney, and Gilman 
Robbins. 

The exercises were opened witli music by the band, follow- 
ed by the singing of an original hymn (words and music by C. 



no LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

H. Smith, organist at the Unitarian Church), sung by the 
Choral Club, composed of young men and women belonging to 
the different religious societies. Rev. W, J. Batt of the Ortho- 
dox Congregational Church, read selections of scripture, and 
Rev. Horace Parker, of Ashby, offered prayer. Mr. Joel 
Smith, who acted as chairman in the absence (from illness) of 
Mr. J. H. Lockey, then introduced James Bennett, Esq., who 
read an original poem of a patriotic character. The ninth 
stanza of this poem commenced with the words : 

" Bri)ig pjii'c, white flowers, a laurel lorcatJi to twine 
Around this shaft of sculptured stone " 

while the author was reading this verse, a bevey of young maid- 
ens, dressed in white, advanced to the monument and decked 
it with red, white and blue garlands. After the reading of the 
poem, came the patriotic address by the orator of the day, Rev. 
Geo. S. Ball of Upton, a native of Leominster and chaplain 
during the war. An original hymn, written by James Bennett, 
Esq., was then sung by the Choral Club. Rev. Rufus P. Steb- 
bins was ne.xt called upon and gave a speech, interspersed with 
old memories, and closed with a poem replete with humor and 
pathos. The exercises closed with an interesting and unex- 
pected floral tribute (by the young ladies who had decorated 
the monument) to the following named gentlemen : Rev. Geo. 
S. Ball, Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, Gen. Kimball, Capt. Joel A. 
Stratton, Capt. Rockwood, James Bennett and Solon A. Carter. 
In 1880, through the generosity of Mr. J. Wallace Lines, 
who left a bequest of $100 towards erecting a fence around the 
monument, and upon the appropriation of $500 for the same 
purpose by the town, the curbing was raised, the fence put in 
place and the land graded. Messrs. Joel Smith, T. J. Ames, 
and W. H. Levering were the committee having it in charge. 



PATRIOTISM. 



Ill 



CHARLES IT. STEVENS POST 58, G. A. R. 

The first movement to cstabli.sh an encampment in Leom- 
inster was made in the Autumn of 1867 by five old veterans : 
L. A. Cook, A. J. Parker, F. VV. Polley, K. A. Bennett, and 
Charles H. Wilder; but, from a lack of enthusiasm among 
their old comrades, the idea was abandoned, and the five just 
mentioned made application to, and joined, Post 19 of Fitch- 
burt;-, which had been chartered but a few months. This lack 
of interest was due to the fact that a previous organization had 

been started and died a premature 
death, causing many to distrust any 
organization formed in the interests 
of old soldiers. 

The first decoration services un- 
der the auspices of the G. A. K. 
were held upon " Commemoration 
day," 1868, by a detachment from 
Post 19, consisting of the five com- 
rades from this town. In June, 
1868, Aldrich Cook, C. B. Flagg, 
J. G. P^aton, \Vm. A. Burrage, J. 
V. Chaffin, aud Geo. A. Browne 
joined Post 19, and soon after measures were taken to form a 
Leominster Post, resulting in the granting of a charter bearing 
date of Juhc 13th, 1868, with the names of the above mention- 
ed comrades as charter members. 

The Post was organized July 9th, at the Armory of Co. K, 
in the upper story of " Gardner Hall." The officers chosen 
and installed at that time were : Commander, Lucien A. Cook ; 
S. V. C, \Vm. A. Burrage ; J. V. C, F. W. Polley ; Adjt., J. F. 
Chaffin ; O. M., A. J. Parker; Sergt. Maj., C. B. Flagg; O. M. 
S., G. A. Browne. 

In October the Post moved to "Brittain Hall," formerly the 




112 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

old Armory building, that stood for years upon the " Old Train- 
ing Field," and was used jointly by the "Artillery " and "Ri- 
fle " Companies. Subsequently it was removed to the spot 
where P. W. Newell's building now stands and a story put un- 
derneath the original, or, upper story, which was occupied by 
the Post. Several years after it was moved to its present loca- 
tion and occupied by comrade J. J. Railey. After several re- 
movals the Post at last encamped in its present attractive quar- 
ters. Its history, in the meantime, has been one of good work 
done, and its record such as to secure the hearty sympathy and 
co-operation of the community in its efforts. 

Probably the most successful meeting ever held by the Post 
was a Grand Camp Fire, given April 26th, 1877, at which time 
the Department Commander and Staff, Posts 19, of Fitchburg, 
59, of Sterling, 64, of Clinton, 48, of Ayer, and 50, of Towns- 
end, were present. The parade was headed by the Fitchburg 
Band, and in the evening a concert was given in the town hall, 
by local talent, under the direction of comrade J. F. Chafifin, 
after which stirring speeches were made, and a collection, 
amounting to $85.00, taken up to be given towards establishing 
a Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts. This action was the 
means of placing the town of Leominster first in the State to 
respond to the call for contributions for that purpose. The 
full amount turned over to the Department Commander for the 
Soldiers' Home was $572.05. 

About $2000.00 has been expended in charity by the Post 
during the past ten years, and nearly 200 families aided. This 
does not include many donations made by comrades, which did 
not pass through the Post's funds, nor. does it include about $600 
given to the Soldiers' Home, nor the $900 stolen from them. 
All these sums foot up nearly $5500.00, or an average of about 
$275 per year, for the past twenty years. Early in 1885, the 
organization met with a heavy loss through the rascality of 



PATRIOTISM. 113 

their comrade, and previously highly esteemed (Juartermaster, 
Win. II. Covering, who absconded with the entire funds of the 
Post, excepting about 1^45.00, and for which he was court-mar- 
tialed and dishonorably discharged from the G. A. R. Al- 
though disheartened at their loss they immediately took meas- 
ures to replenish their treasury. The sympathy of the town's 
people was shown in a substantial way, the Post realizing hand- 
somely from the various enterprises which they brought out. 
The Ladies Relief Corps donated ^n^o.oo. The ist Congre- 
gational Society from their calico party, $69.30. The Baptist 
Society $20.00. The largest and most successful enterprise 
was the Grand 1^'air.held from Oct. 12 to the 17th, wliich netted 
34616.57. Thus, what appeared to be a calamity was really a 
blessing in disguise, for the Post found itself in good circum- 
stances once more. Old soldiers, who had not until then man- 
ifested an interest, felt the severity of the loss and like true 
soldiers rallied to its assistance, joined the ranks and are now 
doing all in their power to help carry on the work successfully. 

The officers of Post 53 for 1888, are : T. A. Hills, Com- 
mander ; H. N. Spring, Senior Vice Commander; D.W.Mar- 
tin, Junior Vice Commander ; C. A. Wheeler, Surgeon ; E. 
H. Payne, Chaplain; A. W. Allen, Adjutant; j. J. Railey, 
Ouartermaster ; C. B. Flagg, Officer of the Day; Elijah Thomp- 
son, Officer of the Guard ; Albert Flagg, Sergeant-Major ; G. 
A. Richardson, O. M. Sergeant. 

The following is a list of the Past Comm:inders : L. A. 
Cook, W. A. Burrage, F. W. Policy, J. A. Stratton, X. B. Ellis, 
C. A. Wheeler, C. B. Flagg, W. B. Frissell, Thomas J. Ames, 
Madison Beal, Aldrich Cook, Clesson Kennev. A. W. Allen, 
W. D. Blanchard. 

LuciKN" A. Cook., first Commander. Sketch already given. 
Wm. a. Bl'rragk, second Commander of the Post, was 
born in Leominster, March 5, 1844. Wm. A. Burrage wai? 
15 



114 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

a son of John M. and Abbie M. Barrage of Leominster, Mass. 

From the time he was thirteen years of age, until the 
Summer of 1862, he worked on a farm for his uncle, Dea. 
Emory Barrage. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 33d 
Reg., which company his cousin, Joseph P. Barrage, had pre- 
viously joined. Before leaving camp he was promoted to the 
rank of Corporal, and afterwards, while in Georgia, he was 
made Orderly Sergeant. After being mustered out of service 
in 1865, he learned the shoe business in Leominster, married 
in March 1869, Abbie Thayer of Leominster and subsequently 
removed to Marlboro', Mass. He was elected Commander of 
the Post in 1 869. 

¥. W. PoLLEY, third Commander, was born in Leomin- 
ster, Feb. 26th, 1837. He worked at shoe-making until the 
war broke out, when he enlisted and served in Co. A, 15 th 
Reg., and in Co. H, 4th Reg., Mass. Heavy Artillery. 

In 1862 he engaged in the shoe business with his father, 
under the firm name of A. M. PoUey & Son, which business he 
still carries on. Together with others he helped organize Post 
53, of which he was a charter member. He served as Senior 
and Junior Vice Commander, and from July, 1869, to Jan., 1873, 
as Commander. 

J. A. Stratton, fourth Commander, was born in Leominster 
in 1837. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. C, 53d Reg., 
Mass. Vols., and was commissioned as Captain. He was bad- 
ly wounded at the assault upon Port Hudson, La., being shot 
through the head. He was mustered out with the Reg. Sept. 
2d, 1863. He joined Post 53 in Nov., 1869, and served as 
Commander several terms. He is at present living in Reading, 
Kansas. 

N. B. Ellis, fifth Commander, was born in Sandwich, 

Mass., in 1835, enlisted in the 20th Mass. Vols., holding 
a First Lieutenant's cornmissign, After the close of the war, 





F. W. POLLEY. 



W. B. FRISSELL. 



THOS. J AMES. 




J F. CHAFFIN. 



J. J. RAILEY. 



ELIJAH THOMPSON. 



PATRIOTISM. 115 

he was employed as a shoe maker in Leominster, lie was 
Commander in 1875, 

C. A. Wheeler, si.xth Commander. Sketch as physician 
given elsewhere. 

C. B. Fl.vgg, seventh Commander, is a native of Sterling, 
where he was born Feb. 13th, 1839. He enlisted in Co. A, 
34th Reg., M. V. M., for three years. He was wounded May 
15th, 1S64, at New Market, Va., and discharged at Dale Gen'l 
Hospital, Worcester, July 3d, 1865. He joined Post 53 in 1868 
and was Commander in 1880. 

W. B. Frissell, eighth Commander, was born in Thetford, 
Vt., in 1826. He enlisted in 1861 as private in Co. K, 6th N. 
H. Reg. He served three years; was wounded at the second 
battle of Bull Run and I^^redericksburg. He held the rank of 
First Sergeant at the time he was discharged in 1864. He 
moved to Leominster in 1865, and has since followed the busi- 
ness of carpentering. 

Thomas J. Ames, ninth Commander, was born in 
Keene, N. H., Feb. 25th, 1843, and came to Leominster in 
1S50. He enlisted in Co. A, 36th Reg. Mass. Vols., July 14, 
1862, and was with his regiment up to July 8, 1864, when he 
was wounded in front of Petersburg, Va., and was mustered 
out of service as Sergeant, July 18, 1865. He became a mem- 
ber of Post 53 in 1870. He served as adjutant for four years, 
and was Commander in 1884. He also served on the staff of 
Commander in Chief, R. 11 Heath. He was aiii)ointed a 
Postal clerk in 1880. 

IVLmmson Beat., tenth Commander, was born in Winchendt)n, 
Mass., in 1846. He enlisted Oct., 17th, 1861, as private in Co. 
I, 26th Mass. Vols, and was discharged from service Nov. i8th, 
1864. He joined Post 53 in 1871, and served as Commander 
in 1883. 

Aldrich Cook, eleventh Commander, was born in Leomin- 



Il6 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ster, April i8th, 1841. He learned the comb business and has 
been, most of the the time since, interested in the manufacture 
of horn goods. From 1872 to 1876 he was engaged in the 
comb business with Capt. E. A. Bennett, under the firm name 
of Bennett, Cook & Co. He enlisted and served in the 5th 
Mass. Vols. He was a charter member of Post 53, and served 
as Commander in 1884. 

Cle.sson Kenney,. twelfth Commander, 1885. Sketch given 
with business of Tenney & Kenney. 

A. W. Allen, thirteenth Commander, was born at Towns- 
end, Vt., July 8th 1844. He enlisted first, April 19th, 1861, for 
three months, in the ist Reg., Vermont Infanty. He served 
his time out and re-enlisted, Oct. ist, i86r, for three years, in 
the ist Reg., Vermont Cavalry, and was discharged at Stevens- 
burg, Va., Feb., 1864. 

By reason of re-enlistment he ;was granted a veteran's fur- 
lough of 35 days and after that period continued with the Reg. 
until the close of the war. During the war he was slightly 
wounded twice, but not enough to require the help of a sur- 
geon. 

WiLLARi) D. Blanch ARD, fourteenth Commander, was born 
in Foster, R. I., Aug. 7th, 1844. He removed to Uxbridge and 
attended the schools there. Sept.- 23d, 1861, he enlisted in Co. 
H, 25th Reg., Mass. Vols: He re-enlisted Feb. i8th, 1864, 
and was mustered out of service July 15th, 1865, by reason of 
the close of the war. He removed to Leominster in April, 
1870, and has since that time been engaged in business as deal- 
er and contractor in granite. He was Commander of Post 53 
in 1S87, and the Worcester County Division G. A. R., 1887-8. 

A sketch of T. A. Hills, the 15th and present Commander 
of the Post will be found in connection with a history of the 
Post Office. 



PATRIOTISM. 117 

woman's KKLIKF corps no. 31, DF.l'T. 0|- MASS. 

Feb. 19, 1878, by request of Commander Joel Stratton, and 
other comrades of the Post, a small company of ladies met in 
Wood's block, in the rooms then occupied by Mrs. L. J. Cook, 
for the purpose of forming a Ladies Society, to assist the Post 
in their labors of charity. March 4th, 1878, the Ladies Auxil- 
iary Corps was organized with the following officers : Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Joel Stratton ; Vice President, Mrs. L. J. Cook ; 
Secretary, A. S. Jaquith; Treasurer, Mrs. Amanda Wilder. 
January i, i88r, the name of the Society was changed to the 
Leominster Relief Society," and Dec. 29th, re-organized under 
its present name, "Woman's Relief Corps, 31, of the Depart- 
ment of Massachusetts," with the following officers : President, 
Mary A. Flagg ; Senior Vice Pres., Sarah F. Gallup; Junior 
Vice Pres., Helena Ikown ; Chaplain, Augusta Holman ; Con- 
ductor, Sarah Hicks. The officers for 1888, are. President, 
Sarah V. Gallup ; Sen. Vice Pres., Adolin O. Kendall ; Jun. 
Vice Pres., Sarah Hicks ; Sec, Mary A. Flagg ; Treas., P^lla 
lUitler ; Chaplain, M. Augusta Holman ; conductor, Emma 
Wells ; assistant conductor, Charlotte Danforth ; Guard, Sarah 
Parker ; assistant guard, Mary Locke. 

1:. A. BENNETT CAMP NO. 52 SONS OF VirFKRANS. 

The Sons of Veterans were mustered into service the even- 
ing of Dec. 15, 1885. The object of the organization is to keep 
in remembrance the deeds the fathers wrought, and to per- 
petuate the love they cherished for the country they so 
bravely defended. The membershi]) is confined to young men 
whose fathers served their country during the Rebellion. The 
present officers are : G. H. Woodbury, captain ; (i. S. Gibson, 
1st Lieut ; G. S. Boynton, 2d. Lieut.; H. E. McKenney, chap- 
lain, (rank of Lieut.); W. C. Cozzens, orderly sergeant ; G. A. 
Woodworth, O. M. Sergeant ; J. V. Cook, Sergeant of Guard ; 
John S. Wilson, Color Sergeant: W. F. Morse. Camp Guard ; 



Il8 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

John Willis, Corporal of the Guard ; Thos. McEvoy, Picket 
Guard. 

At a meeting of the Camp, held on Monday evening, July 
25th, 1887, Rev. E. B. Payne, in behalf of 200 of his fellow- 
townsmen, presented the Camp with a beautiful silk flag, ele- 
gantly mounted, and bearing the inscription : " E. A. Bennett 
Camp No. 52, S. of V., Leominster, Mass." 

OLD MILITARY COMPANIES. 

For many years Leominster furnished two companies of 
militia, the Old Artillery Company and " The Leominster Ri- 
fles ;" and for a long time was the Regimental headquarters. 
The manufacturers and business men of the town were person- 
ally interested in military matters and although it was the only 
town of its size in the State, having two companies, yet both 
received a liberal support and were in a flourishing condition. 
The palmiest days of the " Rifles " were during the 20 years 
previous to 1850. The Artillery Company, as previously stated, 
was in existence for nearly a century, although in later years it 
was organized as infantry. 

Under the old militia laws, one Company of Artillery was 
allowed to each Regiment of Infantry. The Leominster Ar- 
tillery Co. was attached to the 9th Regiment and always as- 
signed the right of line. 

In June, 1868, after the close of the war, the Company was 
re-organized. They made choice of Lucien A. Cook, Captain ; 
Eugene A. Bennett, ist Lieutenant ; William A. Burrage, 2d 
Lieutenant ; and the Company was designated as Co. K, loth 
Regt., M. V. M. In 1878 the militia of the State was re-organ- 
ized and Co. K, was transferred to the 6th Regt. In Decem- 
ber, 1885, it was disbanded by order of Adjt. Gen. Dalton. 

For years the books of this Company, dating back to its or- 
ganization in 1787, were kept in the vault of the town hall. 



PATRIOTISM. 119 

Time did its work and they became illegible. Some of the 
records were lost in the Worcester fire, so that at the present 
time there is very little relating to its history in a state of pres- 
ervation. 

The year previous to being disbanded, the Company went 
into muster with a small number of men, but at the time 
the order was received, Captain Winch was engaged in 
recruiting the Company. Had the organization lived to cele- 
brate its centennial, fifteen months later, it would have been a 
red letter day in the history of Leominster. 



CHAPTER VII. 



ORGANIZATIONS. 




KNEVOLENT and other organizations 
in Leominster, are numerous and well 
supported, the humane and social quali- 
ties of the people finding expression in 
their operation. 

Below are such facts in regard to these 
organizations as are of special interest. 

SECRET SOCIETIES. 

The Masonic Order is represented by Wilder Lodge, F. 
& A. M., which was organized in 1859, and chartered June 14, 
i860, receiving its name from Hon. David Wilder. It should 
be stated here that Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., the oldest 
organization in Fitchburg, was instituted in Leominster, June 
9, 1801, and removed to Fitchburg in 1845. The charter mem- 
bers of Wilder Lodge were: Wm. Durant, Luther Longley, Cal- 
vin B. Cook, Ephraim Buss, Benjamin Higbee, Sewall Rich- 
ardson, Wm. Wilder, John H. Lockey, Samuel Putnam, Geo. 
T. Lincoln, Charles H. Merriam, Emory Tilton, William B. 
Walker, F. W. Policy, C. T. Brown, Horatio Willard, L. N. 
Leslie, A. L. Putnam, Joel C. Allen. The Past Masters are: 
William Durant, John H. Lockey, Alfred L. Burditt, Charles 
A. Wheeler, Samuel Whittier, Joel P. Miller, Oliver J. Put- 



o g 




ORGANIZATIONS. 121 

nam, Thomas J. Ames, Calvin B. Cook, Daniel R. Haynes, 
Joseph P. Lockey, James Skinner, Francis C. Bovven, Francis 
II. Shaw, Wilbur B. Tenney, William F. Wilkins, II. R. 
Brown. The present officers are : F. W. Tenney, W. M ; E. 

D. Moody, S. W.; H. C. Garfield, J. W.; J. G. Tenney, Trcas.; 
O. A. Taft, Sec. ; I). W. Martin, Senior Dea.; N. E. Metcalf, 
Junior Dea.; C. A. Joslin, Marshall ; C. H. Moore, Chap.; A. 
Draffin, S. S.; A. W. Colburn, J. S.; Mason Harris, I. S.; W. F. 
Wilkins, T. Stated communications, Tuesday, on or before 
full moon. 

The Odd Fellows are represented by Leominster Lodge, 
No. 86, and Prosperity, (Rebekah) Lodge No. 68. 

Leominster Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F. was instituted at 
Leominster, Aug. 7, 1845, and re-instituted 1874. Charles L. 
Joslin was the first Noble Grand. The following named per- 
sons have served in that important ofifice since : L. C.Rich- 
ardson, J. H. Lockey, Thomas Thompson, ; Charles H. Balch 

E. E. Woods, S. W. Moore, A. J. Bates, F. N. Boutwell, A. A. 
Wheeler, II. P. Wheeler, C. W. Walker, A. B. Upham, J. M. 
Robbins, L. F. Poland, A. S. Paton, C. II. Rice, F. F. Fiske, 
C. H. Currier, W. A. Snow, II. R. Davis, W. F. Dodge, H. 
Gardner, Alvah Heald, A. L. Walker, J. C. Chapin, W. H. 
Wood, II. C. Garfield. 

The present officers of the Lodge are : N. G., A. P. Harris; 
Vice G., W. E. White ; Sec, I^ F. Fiske ; Treas., L. C. Rich- 
ardson ; Warden, V. H. Johnson ; Conductor, Frank L. 
]"\irnsworth ; O. G., C. N. Cozzens ; I. G., A. W. Blood ; R. S. 
X. G., H. R. Davis ; L. S. N. G., L. B. Grimes, R. S. V. G., 
\Vm. A. Hill ; L. S. V. G., Geo. II. Woodbury ; R. S. S., Chas. 
P. ICllis ; L. S. S., John Rodger ; Chaplain. C. II. Arrington. 

Meetings every Wednesday evening. 

Prosperity Lodge, Daughters of Rerekah, No. S6, 
was instituted Sept. 28th, of the present year, under very fav- 
10 



122 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

orable circumstances. Twenty-five charter members constitu- 
ted the Lodge. Twenty-one were admitted by card, or having 
the necessary qualifications, and elev^en new members were ini- 
tiated. The following officers were elected : N. G., A. S. Pat- 
on ; V. G., Mrs. Maria P. Wright ; Sec, Mrs. S. F. Morse ; 
Treas., Mrs. Annie M. Rice ; F. S., A. L. Walker ; Warden, 
Mrs. Margaret Harris ; Con., Mrs. Sarah F. Hicks ; O. G., C. 
N. Cozzens ; L G., H. I. Whitcomb ; R. S. N. G., M. F. Morse; 
L. S. N. G., L. B. Grimes ; R. S. V. G., Mrs. S, A. Goodrich ; 
L. S. V. G., Mrs. Lizzie Wilcox ; Chaplain, Geo. M. Powers. 

Regular meetings, second and fourth Tuesdays of each 
month. 

Improved Order of Red Mex, Wachusett Tribe, No. 
41. Instituted, May 18, 1887. The present officers are : 
Prophet, D. A. Driscoll ; Sachem, F. W. Osgood ; Senior Sag- 
amore, S. A. McDonald ; Junior Sagamore, J. L. Jones ; Chief 
of Records, W. F. Lawrence ; Ass't. C. of R., C. H. Hyatt ; 
Keeper of Wampum, H. E. Davis ; G. of W., C. A. Burnham ; 
G. of F., F. S. Flagg. Meetings every Monday. Hall in 
Paton's Block. 

Ancient Order Hibernians, Division 32. Present offi- 
cers : William Hackett, President ; Matthew Murphy, Vice 
President ; Joseph O'Haire, F. S.; Daniel Reagan, Treas.; 
James Walsh, R. S. 

Division 4, North Leominster. Present Officers : James 
Grain, President ; T. Gorman, Vice President ; Michael Sulli- 
van, Treasurer ; John McCann, F. S.; Michael McLoughlin, 
R. S. 

MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES. 

Knights of Honor. Granite Lodge, No. 197, was in- 
stituted Dec. 2 1st, 1875. Past Dictators : C. A. W' heeler, Geo. 
A. Bishop, J. P. Lockey, Geo. F. Morse, F, E. Nims, F. O. 
Lothrop, H. G. Edgerly, D. I. Munsie, Aldrich Cook, Geo. H. 



ORGANl'/ATIOXS. 1 23 

Cook, T. I-:. Kendall, J. C. Chapin, J. B. Farnsworth, E. F. 
Blodgctt. 

Present officers : J. M. Robbins, Die. ; Chas. II. Howe, V. 
I). ; J. A. Tyler, A. D. ; Geo. E. Carter, Rep. ; Wm. II. Wood, 
V. R. ; C. V. Ni.xon, Treas. ; A. P. Harris, Chaplain ; Geo. R. 
Damon, Guide ; Aldrich Cook, Guardian ; P. Gallagher, Sen. 

Meetings, at G. A. R. Hall, first and third Mondays in 
the month. 

Ancient Order U.niti:i) Workmen. Taii.\nto Lodge, 
No. 23, was organized in 1881. The Past Master Workmen 
are : Wm. H. Savage, J. A. Cotton, II. R. Brown, J. A. Stowell, 
Albert Stevens, M. A. Greenwood, and O. A. Taft. 

The present officers are : J. A. Stowell, P. M. W. ; O. A. 
Taft, M. W. ; W. D. Blanchard, F. ; J. C. Nichols, O. ; A. W. 
Allen, Recorder ; F. W. Policy, Rec. ; A. O. Wilder, Fin. ; W. 
G. Derby, Guide ; Jason Bu.xton, I. W. ; C. V, Russell, O. W. 

Stated meetings, first and third Thursdays of each month. 

RovAL Arcanum. Monoo.snock Council, No. 977, was 
organized June 21st, 1886. The present officers are : I. Free- 
man Hall, Regent ; W. A. Putnam, Vice Regent ; George E. 
Pratt, Orator ; A. G. Morse, Past Regent ; C. H. Hyatt, Sec'y ; 
F. J. Lothrop, Collector ; Fred IC. Richardson, Treasurer ; G. 
M. Powers, Chaplain ; C. I. Cleverly, Guide ; Clesson Merri- 
man. Warden ; Henry Shaw, Sentry. 

Meets in G. A. R. Hall first and third Wednesdays of each 
month. 

RovAL SociETV OF GooD F'ei.i.ows. lustitcd June 7, 
1 888. Officers: Chas. Wild, Past Ruler; A. D. .Symonds, 
Ruler; (ieorge Whitney, Counsellor; Andrew Tisdalc, Instruc- 
tor; I". K. liuss. Treasurer ; C. II. Tcnney, F'inancial Secre- 
tary; C. S. lius.s. Secretary; W . D. Phelps, Prelate; P. S. 
Tolman, Director ; C. L. Chase, Ciuard ; Nelson Holmaii, Sen- 



124 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

try. Meetings the first Monday of each month, at Wood's 
hall. 

Order of the Ikon Hall, Branch 787. Instituted June 
8th, 1888. Officers : C. J., M. F. Morse; V. J., Charles Brig- 
ham ; Acct. A. E. Burgess ; Cashier, F. S. Treworgy ; Ad- 
juster, E. H. Nutting; Prelate, E. M. Wheeler ; Herald, J. A. 
Johnquest ; Watchman, W. F. Currier ; Vedette, M. Blodgett ; 
Medical Examiner, Dr. E. R. Miller. Meetings Friday evenings 
in I. O. G. T. Hall. 

Leominster Firemen's Relief Association was char- 
tered March 12th, 1879, for ^^^^ purpose of mutual relief, and 
assistance, under the calamities to which their public duties 
may expose them. President, Wm. H. Wood ; Vice Pres., A. 
W. Lowe ; Sec, A. L, Tenney ; Treas. Elmer Bates. 

temperance societies. 

Sons of Teimperance. Aurora Division, No. 29, was in- 
stituted in 1879. The Past Worthy Patriarchs are : Joel Smith, 
Mason Harris, Mrs. Mason Harris, Mrs. Ira F. Holman, Mrs. 
Ola L. Smith, Chas. O. Moore, Z. S. Phelps, A. B. McPherson, 
Wm. C. McPherson, J. C. Smith, Jam^s L. Ellis, Geo. S. Boyn- 
ton, P^red W. Greenleaf. 

The present officers are : H. D. Hale, W. P. ; Ida Smith, 
W. A. ; F. G. Williams, R. S. ; May Brooks, Asst. R. S. ; C. 
S. Chase, Treasurer ; E. V. Metcalf, F. S. ; Edith Baldwin, 
Chaplain ; A. B. McPherson, Conductor ; Lizzie Tompkins, A. 
C. ; Lillian Pierce, I. S. ; J. C. Smith, O. S. ; G. S. Boynton, 
P. W. P. 

I. O. G. T. Kendall Lodge No. 7, instituted Oct. 13, 
1883. Officers: C. T., J. C. Smith; V. T., Kate Gates; Sec, 
Mrs Augusta Holman ; Asst. Sec, Lunette E. Fife ; F. S., 
James Rainey ; T., E. N. Sanders ; Chap., Edgar Sutherland ; 
M., Melvin Day; D. M., Nelhe Whittaker ; G., Mrs. Henry 



ORGANIZATIONS. 125 

Hale; S., Henry S. Hale; P. C. T., \Vm. T. Lesloe. 

CLUBS. 

Leominster Club, organized in April, 1S82. President, 
Geo. F. Morse'; Vice President, Dr. E. J. Cutter; Secretary 
and Treasurer, Edmund Munsie. Rooms in Allen's JMock. 

Leominster Rifle Club, organized August 29th, 1883. 
President, Chas. C. P^oster ; Vice President, E. M. Rockwell ; 
Secretary and Treasurer, C. A. Joslin ; Captain, Geo. W. p'os- 
ter. Range, off Mill street. 

Leominster Gun Club, organized, April 15th, 1886. 
President, L F. Gorham ; Vice President, Waldo Wood ; Treas. 
A. G. Powers ; Secretary, R. B. Andrews ; Directors, L. M. 
Harris, 1-:. F. Blodgett, A. AIcDonald. 

LocKKV Rii-LK Club, composed of the employes of the 
Lockey Piano Case Co., was organized April 10, 1886. Presi- 
dent, J. H. Lockey ; Vice Pres., W. H. Wood ; Secretary, H. 
R. Davis ; Treas., A. J. Rugg ; Capt. W. H. Wood. Range off 
Mill street. Members of these rifle and gun clubs have done 
some excellent shooting, Messrs. George ¥. Prevear, E. M. 
Rockwell and F. A. Whitney thus far taking the lead. 

TiiK Leominster Town Improvement Association. This 
town early manifested an interest in planting, as well as preserv- 
ing, shade trees, wherever they would beautify the place, and 
and was always ready to encourage the same jniblic spirit in 
individuals. 

About the year 1765, the land since used for the new ceme- 
tery, was hired by Joshua Smith, the first tanner in town, with 
the expressed understanding that he should plant a row^ of elms 
by the side of it ; a condition which he fulfilled, but the soil not 
being suited to their growth, very few of them lived. The 
town also, in its corporate capacity, has caused trees to be set 
out in various locations. A few of the elms and other trees on 



126 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

the common, and in the vicinity of the three meeting houses 
and the Town House were of this number. The rest were 
planted by citizens. The avenue of ehiis on Main street were 
planted in the spring of 1763, and the maple trees around what 
is called "the neck," were placed there by Joel Crosby, Esq., 
who, for many years, took pains to set out ornamental trees, 
not only adjoining his own land, but along the line of the 
neighboring farms. 

The first organized effort to secure public improvements, 
and to beautify the town, was made by the Leominster Town 
Improvement Association, which was organized February 2d, 
1883. Its officers included an executive committee of fifteen, 
and sub-committees on trees, vines and climbing plants. Lec- 
tures and entertainments, membership, water-supply and drain- 
age, and an advisory committee. 

Mr. Howard M. Lane was its first President, accepting the 
office to serve only until a complete organization was effected, 
and the Association placed on a working basis. As soon, 
therefore, as that point was reached, Mr. Lane resigned the 
position, and Mr. A. S. Paton was elected in his place. The 
Vice Presidents were : Dr. ¥. K. Nims, Hamilton Mayo, N. 
Harwood and V. C. Bowen ; Secretary, Miss Laura S. Merriam; 
Treasurer, Amos B. Merrill. Some of the objects of the Associ- 
ation were to encourage and superintend the planting and 
maintaining of shade trees in the public streets and squares 
and trimming and preserving trees already existing, to en- 
courage the planting of vines, climbing plants and flowering 
shrubs about the dwellings of citizens, and around the public 
buildings, to use its influence for the improvement of the 
water supply and drainage of the town, to consult v.nth the 
owners or occupants of dilapidated buildings and unseemly 
plots of ground, and endeavor to secure an improvement in 
their general appearance. To improve and raise to a higher 



ORGAXIZATIONS. 



127 



[ilanc the mental and moral condition of the town, making; nec- 
essary arrangements for lectures and other entertainments. 

The first and most important work undertaken ]:)y the Asso- 
ciation was the improxement of the common. Several years 
prior to this Mr. (ieorge H. Xorman contributed a receipted 
l)ill of $100.00 for his services to the town, with the ]:)rovision 
that the sum sliould go towards providing a fountain whenever 
water should be put in. .Vt the May town meeting, a commit- 
tee consisting of Hamilton Mayo, l*2sc|., T. B. Grimes and K. G. 



Davis was ap- 
Nov. 6, 1883, rec- 
the Town im- 
mon and that the 
m e n t Associa- 
mittcc to c a r- 
T h e report o f 
was accept e d 
the i^ioo, under- 
gift of Mr. Nor- 
ted toward the 
the contemplat- 
Thc K.xecutivc 
the Association 
I'aton, \Vm. K 
G. Davis to at- 
also voting suit- 
tion for o n e 
C o m mitt e e 
Tisdaleto super- 
1 lie committee 



pointed, who, 
ommended that 
prove the corn- 
Town Improve- 
tion be thecom- 
ry out the work, 
this committee 
and adopted, and 
stood to be the 
man appropria- 
construction of 
ed fountain. 
Committee o f 
ajii^ointed A. S. 
Tisdale and I-^ 
tend to the work, 
able compensa- 
man'stime. This 
chose W'm. 1^ . 
intend the work. 
^"'"•"'^■' "-^ ""■ '■ '• ■'■"" "■■" '''■'^' ''"■ '•^^'- contracted with 





M. II. Kittredge for the granite basin and the stone wt)rk, 
not including necessary excavations. The basin is of I'itch- 
burg granite 25 feet in diameter, cui-bing and solid foundations 



128 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

3 feet deep and filled inside with rubble, covered with cement. 
The cutting of the circular curbing was done by Frank M. 
Leavitt and Leonard Woods at no profit, and the thoroughness 
of the whole work is creditable to both contractor and workmen. 
The drinking fountain adjoining the stone basin was a gift to 
the town by S. M. Frost and cost $100.00, and was made by the 
J. L. Mott Iron Works, New York. The laying out of the 
grounds was after a plan prepared by a former townsman, Mr. 
H. C. Burdett, of Boston. The loam, of which 227 loads were 
used, was obtained in exchange for a double quantity of gravel 
and having been put in place during the previous autumn, an 
old fashioned bee was appointed for June 6 and 7, 1884, when 
the citizens responded and the loam was levelled and the foun- 
dation of the walks was constructed by volunteer labor, after 
which a collation was served in the town hall by ladies of the 
Association. While the work was in progress, Mr. J. C. Allen, 
then too ill to be out, noticed the army of workmen on the 
common, and with his life-long public spirit, delegated Mr. C. 
S. Perry to distribute soda tickets among them at his expense. 
This was one of Mr. Allen's last public acts. Prominent among 
the workers, on this occasion, was Rev. Wm. H. Savage, shovel 
in hand, showing his interest by example as well as precept. 
It may be mentioned, in this connection, that the formation of 
the Improvement Society was first proposed by Mr. Savage, 
that he declined acting as its president believing it should be 
purely a town Society, but that he lost no opportunity, as long- 
as he remained in town, of encouraging a public spirit in others. 
The Leominster Farmers and Mechanics' Association 
was organized in the Autumn of 1 85 1. Its object was to pro- 
mote the interests of agriculture, and all industrial pursuits, and 
especially to benefit those engaged therein, by inciting to 
investigation, to reflection and to action, and by furnishing 
facilities for a fine interchange of opinions, thereby to call forth 



ORGANIZATIONS. 1 29 

the results of individual observation and experience, and to 
elicit practical and scientific information. 

The influence wliicli this Association has since exerted over 
the industrial pursuits of the town, can hard]}' be estimated. 
The Association has met with many years of jirosperity since 
its organization. The present year, 1888, it has a membership 
of 426, and has on deposit $3,200. Its annual exhibitions are 
attended with increasing interest from year to year. The 
presejit board of officers are : Pres., \V. B. Tisdale ; Vice Pres., 
C. S. Buss and C. F. Boyden ; Sec, Chas. H. Rice ; Treas., J. 
M. Bronson ; Executive Committee, K. M. Harrington, O. J. 
Putnam, E. V. Powers, H. C. Fuller, J. D. Cogswell ; Auditors, 
W. H. Fuller, G. M. Powers. 



17 



CHAPTKR VIII. 



lUOCiKAl'lllCAL. 




MOXG those who have lived in Leomin- 
ster in the past, there are few who may 
be said to have attained marked distinc- 
tion beyond the Hmits of their immediate 
neighborhood. In the early history of 
the town the clerical profession was well 
represented by John Rogers, the medical 
by Jacob Peabody, and the legal by Asa 
Johnson and Abijah Bigelow. It was not 
our i)urpose, in the foregoing pages, to give undue prominence 
to the subjects of these sketches, but to record briefly the 
doings of Leominster men of later }'ears, who were active and 
useful in their day and generatit)n. 

Al\'Ah Crocker was, perhaps, more widely known than 
any other native of Leominster. His father was a veteran in 
the Nichols & Kendall paper mill, where, at the age of eight 
years, Alvah found employment. At sixteen he entered Groton 
Academy, remaining until the fifty dollars, he had saved from 
his earnings, was gone, and he was obliged to leave to obtain 
money. Not succeeding in this, he gave up all idea of getting 



BIOC.RAI'IIICAT.. 131 

ri collc<;c education, but manaj^cd to obtain books and continued 
Ids studies after workini;- hours. 

In 1823, he entered the eni])loy of Gen. Leonard Hurbank 
in l-'itchbur<;', after working" three years in I'^ranklin, X. II. 

In 1826, he selected a spot of land in West I■"itchbur<^ 
built, with borrowed capital, his first paper mill and started in 
business. The location was in a birch swamj) and not easily 
accessible, as the ri\-er road was not then built. Desiring to 
get a road further up the Nashua River, and meeting with 
opposition from the land-holders, he bought tiie whole Xashua 
valley to the Westminster line, gave the land for the road, and 
by this investment laid the foundation of financial success. 
All the mills of Crocker, Burbank & Co., have since been 
located in this valley. 

In every public enterprise Mr. Crocker exhibited the same 
rare sagacity and foresight shown in the management of his 
private affairs. In 1843, while in the Legislature, he adv^ocated 
the railroad from Boston to Fitchburg, and in spite of opposi- 
tion and ridicule, the Fitchburg Railroad was built and Mr. 
Crocker was made its first president. Three years later he 
accomplished the building of the Vermont and Massachusetts 
R. R., and was its first president. In 1847-8 he delivered sev- 
eral hundred lectures in behalf of the Troy & Boston R. R., 
doing more than any other man in the State to insure the 
completion of the Tunnel, and was one of the Commissioners, 
when the work was put into the hands of the State. 

Besides the railroad enterprises, to which so much of his 
public life was given, a greater work was undertaken in the 
controlling and utilizing the magnificent water power of the 
Connecticut River at Turner's F'alls. This work, however, 
was left unfinished at his death. It was his ambition to make 
Turner's Falls not only rival Lowell, Holyoke and other large 
manufacturing cities, but to pass by and above them, and had 



132 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE, 

he been spared he would, no doubt, have left Turner's Falls as 
a monument of his greatness. 

In 1872 Mr. Crocker was chosen Representative to Congress 
from the Ninth District, was afterwards re-elected, and was a 
member at the time of his death, whicli took place December 
30th, 1874. In his own city, Fitchburg, Mr. Crocker labored 
steadily and persistently to secure needed improvements, being 
largely instrumental in getting a water supply. During the 
war he was a staunch patriot, and a liberal donor of time and 
money to secure the triumph of the great and good cause. Gov. 
Andrew entrusted him with the honorable duty of caring for 
the wounded Massachusetts soldiers, and more than one patriot 
can testify that when funds were not available for the relief of 
his need, the money of Mr. Crocker was at once and judic- 
iously drawn upon, to convey the aid desired. 

David Wilder, died at his residence in North Leominster 
Friday, Sept. 21st, 1866, aged 88 years. No citizen of Leom- 
inster, probably, ever held more offices of trust given by the 
people. He represented the town eleven years in the Legisla- 
ture, was a Justice of the Quorum throughout the Common- 
w^ealth, as a State Senator, Commissioner of the Highway, 
member of the Governor's Council, and for five years was 
Treasurer of the Commonwealth. He was a member of the 
Unitarian church for 57 years, and an officer (deacon) for 34 
years. He was also a prominent Mason, Wilder Lodge receiv- 
ing its name in his honor. Dec. 3, 1852, he finished writing 
The History of Leominster, which was his last public business. 

Dr. Charles Woodward \Vilder was born in Ashburn- 
ham, Mass., December 30th, 1790. He was a member of the 
class of 18 1 7, Dartmouth Medical School, and there he 
received his diploma as Doctor of medicine. He commenced 
the practice of his profession with Dr. Haskell of Leominster, 
and remained with him about three years, after which he 




DR. CHARLES W. WILDER. 




J C. LANE 




0^;.CK PATC 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 133 

moved to Templeton, Mass., where he was engaged in an ex- 
tensive practice for eleven years. Leaving Templeton in 1832, 
he went to Fitchburg, and for some time was engaged in the 
])ractice of his profession in that place in company with Dr. 
Snovv". From Fitchburg he returned to Leominster and made 
this place his home for the rest of his life. He practiced his 
jn'ofession with remarkable success, not only in this town but 
in all the adjoining villages. He was also deeply interested in 
all the important events of his time. He was full of progress- 
ive ideas and believed in improvements. He was public spirited, 
and took an active part in the affairs of the town and county. 
For many years he was a member of the school committee and 
during the years 1836, '37, '45, '47 and '48 represented the 
town in the State Legislature. During his life he held many 
other offices of public trust and distinction. He was for some 
time President of the Worcester District Medical Society, 
before which, in 1843, he delivered a very able disertation on 
Pulmonary Consumption. When the old Fitchburg Bank was 
first organized he was one of its charter members, and held the 
office of Director during his life. He was one of the prime 
movers in organizing the Fitchburg and Worcester R. R. Com- 
pany, now a part of the Old Colony system, and it is chiefly 
owing to his energy and perseverance that the road was com- 
pleted and the enterprise made a success. He was elected the 
first president of the road, and after resigning that office be- 
came one of the directors of the company, which office he held 
up to the time of his death. He was also a member of the 
Bunker Hill Monument Committee, and took an active part in 
all public matters up to the last year of his life. The final dis- 
position of his property by will showed, in a marked degree, 
his blended benevolence and thoughtfulness that distinguished 
him through life, by his liberal bequest of twenty thousand 
dollars to the Massachusett.s General Hospital, for the support 



134 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

of free beds in that institution. He was a prominent member 
of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Society, and took an 
active part in all church matters. His most striking character- 
istics were his untiring activity and industry. He endeavored 
to use every moment for some good, and by this means climbed 
the ladder of life, commencing with the bottom round and end- 
ing with the top one of success. Fiis death occurred Febru- 
ary 1 2th, 185 I. 

James H. Carter was born in Lancaster in the year 1794, 
and removed to Leominster, where he was for many years one 
of the most influential and active business men. He first 
began the manufacture of combs in the small house now stand- 
ing on the corner of West and Cotton streets, using the old 
fashioned horse-power in the business. He was afterwards 
associated with Isaac Cowdrey and Oliver Patch under the firm 
name of Carter, Cowdrey & Patch, the particulars of which are 
given in Mr. Cowdrey's sketch. 

Mr. Carter served the town as chairman of the board of 
Selectmen and also on the board of Assessors. He was spec- 
ially interested in the Fitchburg and Worcester R. R., and 
held the office of a director before it was consolidated with the 
Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg R. R. Mr. Carter was one of 
three original incorporators of the Leominster Savings Bank> 
John H. Lockey and Leonard Burrage being the other two, 
and was elected a trustee and served in that capacity as long as 
he lived. He was also a director in the First National Bank 
from the date of its incorporation until the time of his death, 
March 13, 1871. 

J. C. Lane was born in Epping, N. H., June 15, 181 5, and 
came to Leominster in 1845. He established the first piano 
shop and manufactured the first piano-forte cases ever made in 
this town. He first occupied a small building which stood 
near where Valpey & Anthony's shoe factory now stands and 




CHARLES H. MERRIAM. 



BioGRAPiircAr.. 135 

afterwards, in 1847, he built the shop now owned by the W. S. 
Reed Toy Co., and carried on business there for several years. 
During all the years of his residence in Leominster Mr. Lane 
was an active and efficient member of the M. 1^.. Church and a 
prominent and respected citizen. 

Oi.ivKR Patch was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., August 9th, 
1805, and died in Wilmington, Vt., June 28th, 1875. When a 
young man Mr. Patch removed to Leominster and engaged in 
the livery and jobbing business. He afterwards started in 
what was then a new business in Leominster, the buying and 
selling of coal. He was also a member of the firm of Carter, 
Cowdrey, & Patch, as stated in sketch of Isaac Cowdrey, and 
was for a time interested in the Union Comb Co. Upon the 
oreranization of the I-'irst National Bank Mr. Patch was made a 
director, which office he held as long as he lived. Some time 
previous to his death Mr. Patch gave up active business, retir- 
ing to his farm which he carried on as long as he was able to 
labor. 

Charles H. Mkrriam was born March i, 1822, in the 
town of Westport, County of Esse.x, in the State of New York. 
He was one of seven children of Josephus and Betsey Merri- 
am. His father died when he was si.x years of age, and the 
family, consisting of the mother, four boys and three girls, re- 
moved to this State, and located in I'itchburg, where in early 
life he worked in the cotton mill, after which he lived on a 
farm for a brief time. He then learned the harness trade and 
became a master workman. In 1847, he began the study of 
law with his brother in Connecticut. He was afterwards a stu- 
dent at Middlebury, Vt. In 185 1, he returned to Massachu- 
setts, and in 1852 was admitted to the practice of the law 
in the Courts of this Commonwealth, and the same year opened 
an office in Leominster. He was appointed Trial Justice, 
which office he held until his death. In 1S60, he was elected 



136 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

a delegate to the National Republican Convention, which 
Convention nominated Abraham Lincoln, for the Presi- 
dency. In the early stages of the Rebellion he was active. 
He enlisted in the 53d Regiment as Colonel but sickness com- 
pelled him to return home. For many years he was counsel 
for the town in all legal matters, was many times elected to the 
ofifice of Selectman, and as a member of the School board giv- 
ing to the town for many years valuable service in both these 
offices. He held almost every important office in town, within 
the gift of the people; was active in introducing the water 
works into town and had been chairman of the water board 
from the beginning. The present High School Building was 
erected under his supervision and when the town hall was re- 
modelled, and the library, reading room and selectmen's room 
were devised, it was done largely under his direction. In 1869,- 
70,-71, he represented his district in the State Legislature. 
While a member of the House, he was twice placed on the 
Judiciary Committee of that body, and there his ability as a 
lawyer and legislator became apparent. He was assigned to 
the difficult task of drafting general laws touching the sale of 
Spirituous Liquors, Statues improving the Probate System and 
others of larger importance. He was regarded as one of the 
ablest legislators of those years. In 1878-9 he represented his 
district in the Senate, where he found his place on the Law 
Committee of that body, and fully maintained his reputation as 
a skilfull and wise legislator. 

It can be truly said of him, that whatever position he 
was called upon to occupy by the citizens, he entered upon the 
duties of the office with a conscientious determination to dis- 
charge them to the best of his ability. He died at his resi- 
dence on Main street, Sunday morning, Oct. 7th, 1883. 

William A. Nichols was a son of Israel and Esther Nich- 
ols, born March 27th, 1805, and died April 30th, 1858. In per- 




LEVI GOSS. 





WM. A. NICHOLS. 

FROM AN OLD PORTRAIT. 



■fr-^ 




Dea. WM F. BUR RAGE. 



JOSEPH COZZENS. 



niOr.RAI'IIlCAL. 137 

son and character he was like his father and grandfather, firm 
and faithful in the discharge of all trusts committed to his care. 
In addition to these qualities of mind and character, Mr. Nich- 
ols brought with him to Leominster a thorough knowledge of 
business methods. He was a competent book-keeper and made 
a complete revolution in the system of keeping the town books. 
1 le was for some ten years Treasurer of the Town, was a Com- 
missioner under the bankrupt laws for his district in 1842, and 
held a Justice of the Peace Commission for many'years. He 
was also a member of the Board of Directors of " The Fitch- 
burg Bank," where his ability and experience made him a 
valuable member. 

Those who were intimate with Mr. Nichols, and knew him 
during these years, remember him as a man of sterling integ- 
rity, honest and faithful in all things. He was looked up to by 
the town's people and was considered worthy to be held up as 
a pattern for young men to emulate. Few men have exerted a 
more salutary influence in the community, or whose departure 
caused such universal regret. 

Levi Goss was born in Lancaster, Mass., in the year 181 3. 
He received a good common school education, and, at an early 
age, entered the employ of Eli B. Sampson at Boylston, where 
he continued as his clerk for a number of years, acquiring a 
thorough knowledge of the Dry (ioods and Grocery business. 
He was afterwards associated, as partner, with O. B. Sawyer in 
the same line of business in W^est Boylston. In 1864 he moved 
to Leominster and bought out the business of J. O. A. Pierce. 
This business he continued with his son-in-law, D. I. Harthan, 
in the brick block owned by him, on the corner of Mechanic 
street. In 1872 the firm dissolved, Mr. Goss retiring from act- 
ive business. 

In the promotion of the work and interests of the I'armers 

IS 



138 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

and Mechanics' Association of Leominster, Mr. Goss bore an 
active part, for nine years holding the office of Treasurer and 
Collector. 

He was chairman of the board of Selectmen both in West 
Boylston and Leominster, and he was deeply and actively inter- 
ested in the building of the fine carriage-road to the summit of 
Wachusett mountain, and in the improvement of that popular 
resort. 

He was a director in the First National Bank from 1872 un- 
til the expiration of its charter and the formation of the new 
bank. He was also one of the trustees of the Leominster 
Savings Bank for several years, continuing in that office until 
the time of his death, Dec. 23d, 1884. For many years of his 
life, Mr. Goss was called upon to settle estates and to serve as 
trustee and guardian for minors and others, and in all these 
positions manifested rare ability with perfect integrity. Those 
who knew him well honored, respected, and loved him. He 
was a friend and counsellor to many who needed advice, and a 
man from whom every one received it kindly. It has been said 
by one who knew him well : " His salutation and cordial hand 
shake strengthened one's faith in humanity, and made the day 
seem brighter." 

Joseph Cozzens came to Leominster from Holliston about 
the year 1845 and with his brother Leonard, engaged in the 
Lumber and Grain business at the Haws' mill — -now Harwood's 
— and, after his brother's death, continued alone until about 
i860, when he sold the mill and bought the Carter farm, where 
he lived the rest of his days. He was elected a director in the 
First National Bank in 1868, holding that office until Jan. ist, 
1885, when he declined re-election. He was a trustee, also, of 
the Savings Bank from its organization, and for thirteen years 
a member of its board of investment. For several years he 




WILLIAM M. HOWLAND. 



lUOr.KAPHICAI.. 139 

was a nicnibcr of the Ixjard of Overseers ot the I'ooi" and also 
one of the Road Commissioners, and filled many other imi^ort- 
ant positions of trust. 

Mr. Cozzens was a straightforward, practical, business man. 
" He expressed his opinions plainly and positively, and was al- 
ways ready to fulfil just what he promised, nothing less, noth- 
ing more. No one loved a social hour with a friend better than 
he. and he made every one cheerful by that ready, jovial man- 
ner, so peculiar to him. .Such men are missed, for they help 
make life pleasant." 

William Milton Howlaxd was born May i8th, 1817, in 
Conway, Mass. He was a lineal descendent of John Howland, 
one of the Pilgrim Fathers who came over in the Mayflower in 
1620. John Howland's wife was Elizabeth Carver, a daughter 
of John Carver, the first Governor of Plymouth Colony. 

Mr. Howland was engaged in the manufacture of carriages 
in his native town. In 1847 he moved to Springfield, with his 
family, where he worked as a machinist, and soon after removed 
to Leominster. 

Here, in 1855, he engaged in business with Mr. John H. 
Lockey, first in the manufacture of corn planters, and after- 
wards, very successfully, in the manufacture of apple parers. 
In 1866, Mr. Howland retired permanently from business. 
During the remainder of his life he was often called upon to 
fill positions of responsibility and trust. He was public spirit- 
ed, and his advice was sought in public enterprises. He was 
actively interested in getting a water supply for the town and 
was Treasurer of the Water Board, a position which he held at 
the time of his death. 

Mr. Howland was married Oct. loth, 1843, to Miss Louisa 
S. Look who, with their only daughter, Mrs. Clarence Kennev. 
survives him. 

In 1850 he united with the Orthodo.x Congregational Church 



140 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

and, in 1872, when the Society built their present house of 
worship, he was one of the largest contributors. He was chos- 
en chairman of the building committee, and to him the Society 
is indebted for the good taste displayed in many parts of their 
beautiful edifice. He was, also, a member of the organ com- 
mittee, and by his taste and experience as a musician did most 
effective service. 

He was an earnest christian, a model husband, and a loving 
father. " He always had a kind word for every one, and his 
genial disposition and cordial greeting made him many friends." 
He died, after a short illness, Sept. 3d, 1874. 

Joel Crosby Allen was born in Leominster, in the house 
now occupied by Mrs. James Bennett, Main street, Sept. 2d, 
1817. His early life was spent on what is known as the Miles 
farm with his uncle, Mr. Joel Crosby. He was named for Mr. 
Crosby, and at his uncle's death inherited a share of his prop- 
erty. At the age of 18 Mr. Allen, in company with his father, 
besfan the seneral merchandise business in a store which stood 
where Allen's block now is. Later he was in company with 
Mr. Chas. H. Colburn, under the firm name of Colburn & Allen. 
For some years, after this firm dissolved, Mr. Allen was not in 
business. During this time the store was in charge of his 
brothers ; first, of Geo. A. Allen and then of William T. Allen. 
Later Mr. Allen resumed the business in connection with Mr. 
Porter Kimball. When Mr. Kimball retired from the firm 
the business was continued by Mr. Allen until the formation of 
the First National Bank of Leominster, when he accepted the 
position of Cashier. At that time the bank was located in 
what was called "Allen's Building." After some years of faith- 
ful service he was forced, by pressure of public duties and pri- 
vate business, to resign ; but he remained a director of this 
bank, and its successor, until his death. He was, also, a trus- 
tee of the Leominster Savings Bank. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. I4I 

As a public servant, Mr. Allen was most faithful and cfifi- 
cient. In 1845 he was elected Town Clerk and a few years 
later, Town 'treasurer. He held both these offices at the time 
of his death. No other name was ever mentioned for either 
l^lace in all the years he served the town as its Clerk and Trea.s- 
urer. He gave time and strength to these duties without stint, 
though the pay was no adequate return for the service rendered. 
His was a long and most honorable public service. 

Mr. Allen served the public in other ways. He was chosen 
to represent the town in the Legislature in 1852, and in 1853 
was the the chosen member representing the town in the State 
convention to revise and amend the constitution of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts. In the year 1863 he was elected 
Senator for this district, giving satisfaction to his constituency 
and honoring the office more than th3 office could honor him. 
He was Treasurer of the Fitchburg and Worcester R. R., while 
in process of construction, and afterwards Vice President and 
Director in the Company. 

For the larger portion of his life he held the office of Nota- 
ry Public and Justice of the Peace, placing his seal upon hund- 
reds of documents without fee, simply because he thought the 
other party needed the money more than he. Allen's Block, 
built after the destruction of the old store by fire, stands as a 
monument to his public spirit and the pride he took in his na- 
tive town and its welfare. 

Mr. Allen was, from his early youth, an active and earnest 
worker in the Unitarian Church. He shared, to the fullest 
extent, the work and burdens of both church and parish, and 
among its honored dead none are more honored than he, but he 
did not actually enroll his name as a member until the latter 
part of his life. 

Of the minute things of his life and history it is not possible 



142 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

to speak here : but this may be said in all confidence, that 
Leominster has no more honored name than that of Joel Crosby 
Allen, and she never need desire a more faithful and loving 
servant. Mr. Allen died at his home June 23d, 1884. 

Samuel Merriam was born in Mason, N. H., July 29, 18 18. 
He received his education in the public schools of that town, 
and, at the age of 17, was apprenticed to the firm of Scripture 
& Ames, of Mason Village, to learn the tin and stove business. 
He remained there until he was twenty-one years of age. He 
was then hired by a firm in Woonsocket, R. I., where he worked 
as a journeyman a short time, and subsequently went to Nash- 
ua, N. H. In the spring of 1844 he went to West Boylston, 
Mass., and commenced business for himself; but not feeling 
quite satisfied, he sold out his business in the autumn and went 
to Worcester, where he engaged in the same business, in com- 
pany with P. D. Russell, remaining there until the year 1850, 
when he removed to Fisherville, [now Penacook] N. H., and 
formed a partnership with H. H. Amsden of that place. 

In 1853, in connection with H. H. Amsden and B. F. Cald- 
well, he commenced the manufacture of pine furniture, under 
the firm name of Caldwell, Amsden, & Co. Wherever Mr. 
Merriam lived he took a deep interest in the welfare of the 
place. While there he served as Councilman and Alderman 
several years, and in 1853-4 was member of the Legislature at 
Concord. 

In the spring of 1864 he came to Leominster and, in com- 
pany with George Hall of Nashua, N. H., purchased the land 
and water privilege and commenced the manufacture of furni- 
ture under the firm name of Merriam, Hall, & Co. When he 
came to Leominster he brought with him the same public spirit 
which had characterized him in other places. He was soon 
chosen Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and Director of 




SAMUEL MERRIAM. 



niOGRAPIIlCAT.. 143 

the I-'irst National Bank, which offices he held at the time of 
his death. 

When a young man he united with the l^aptist Church in 
Mason, N. H., and all through his active life his church was 
very dear to him; he spent both strength and money for the pro- 
motion of its welfare. He was Deacon of the Central Baptist 
Church and Superintendent of the Sunday School many years. 
He was also interested in the Baptist Vineyard Association, 
being one of the Directors of the same at the time of his 
death, which occurred Dec. 30th, 1880. 

iMajor Joseph Tenxkv, son of Joseph Tenney, was born 
in Bradford, Mass., Nov. 26th, 1776, and died Mar. 25th, 1858. 
He was a carpenter by trade and was for many years the only 
contractor in town. He was the first in this town to con- 
struct a building by the " square rule," the usual method being 
what was known as "the scribe rule." 

During the greater part of his life he was interested in mil- 
itary affairs and was actively connected with the State Militia, 
and at the time the requisition was made, in the war of 18 12, 
for artillerymen, the response came from the Old Leominster 
Artillery Company : " We will go as a Company," and they 
went to South Boston with Captain Tenney as their Command- 
er. The British failed in their attempt to " lay waste the whole 
American coast," and after the sacking and burning of Wash- 
ington were obliged to withdraw their army. The Company 
remained on duty until all danger was past when they returned, 
Capt. Tenney receiving a Major's commission. 

Mr. Jame.s Burdett was born in Leominster, on the old 
Hurdett place, about one mile from the Center on the Lancas- 
ter road, where his father lived, and died at the age of 97 years, 
he having purchased it a few days after the battle of Bunker 
Hill, on which memorable occasion he was present. Mr. James 



144 LEOMINSTER, HrSTORICAL A\D PIC T Ji^E53UE. 

Burdett was one of the pioneers in the comb business, and had 
his shop at the home place, the work at that time being all 
done by hand. Mr. Burdett was, also, engaged in farming. He 
was a quiet, unassuming man who understood his own business, 
and attended to it. He was an old pensioner of the War of 
1812, and the oldest man in town at the time of his death. 
During his life he held many offices of trust. He was elected 
the first " PVee Soil" Representative to the Legislature of the 
State, and at times held other minor offices, such as Select- 
man, Overseer of the Poor, Assessor, etc. He did his work 
faithfully, and was a respected and valued citizen. He died at 
the home of his son, Mr. A. L. Burdett, on Grove Avenue, 
June I, 1884, at the advanced age of 92 years, 10 mos., 16 days. 

Joseph Sumner Darling was born in Leominster, June 
8, 1802, and for nearly four score years he was closely identi- 
fied with its growth and life, taking an active interest in all 
matters relating to the welfare of the place, and always dis- 
charging his duties with conscientious fidelity. 

He was honored with the several offices of Constable, 
Assessor and Selectman, and represented his town in the State 
Legislature. As a citizen soldier he acquired the title of 
" Colonel" by reason of his connection with the then famous 
9th Reg., Mass. Vol. State Militia, of which he was the com- 
manding officer for some time. P'or eight years he was con- 
nected with the Custom House at Boston, as Inspector of Cus- 
toms, and lost his position on account of his unflinching 
adherence to his political cons^ictions. During this period he 
lived in the city and subsequently, for five years, in Belcher- 
town. 

In the political questions of the day he took great interest. 
Hevvas an old line democrat, and never swerved from his polit- 
ical faith, while he lamented the deficiencies and departures of 



p 



fr- ^ >V 





MAJ. JOSEPH TENKEY. 




COL. JOSEPH i, 


DAKLirs'L.. 


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JAMES EURDITT 




SILAS RICHARDSON 




Gen. AARON S. GIBBS. 



MAJ. ELIAS JOSLIN. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. I45 

the partv of his allegiance. Me died as he lived, true to his 
convictions in this regard. 

Mr. Darling was for 52 years a consistent member of the 
("Orthodox Church of this place, uniting with it upon con- 
fession of I'aith in 183 1. This church was formed and for two 
years worshipped at the house of his mother, Mrs. Mary Lin- 
coln, who was one of the four worn 2a, of the original ten persons 
organized as a Church Dec. 25, 1822. This house is now oc- 
cupied by Mr. J. II. Johnson on West street. Mr. Darling was 
always loyal to the faith of the church, constant in his attend- 
ance upon its worship and liberal in the support of its ordi- 
nances. 

He had more than ordinary endowment of that ciuality so 
rare in possession or exercise, " good common sense." He was 
wise as a counsellor, firm and righteous as an administrator of 
trusts, and his decision in matters referred to him for judgment, 
were rarely reversed. Mr. Darling was a man possessed of a 
very retentive mind. Since the days of his early manhood he 
had seen two generations come and go, and in his later years 
his memory of those who had passed away was more compre- 
hensive than his knowledge of, and acquaintance with, the 
living. 

Silas Richardson was born March 22, 1802, at the old 
hom.estead of the family, in North Leominster, now owned and 
occupied by his brother, M. D. Richardson. He lived on the 
old homestead until he was twenty-one when he began life for 
himself, working on the farm in the summer and teaching- 
school in the winter,, for thirteen years. In 1846 he was 
appointed sexton of the town cemetery, which position he held 
for twenty-six- years. His failing health caused him to resign 
the position to his son, Charles H. Richardson, who still holds 
it. Mr. Richardson was one of the hardest working men of 
his day, and most methodical and promjH in all his engage- 
19 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 147 

of tubs under the well-known firm name of Caldwell & Miller, 
in which business he continued till 1874, when he retired from 
active life. P\)r some years previous to his death, in i (S85, he was 
not actively connected with the business, though he still had a 
deep interest in business matters, and had at least an indirect con- 
nection with his former work in the person of his .son-in-law, 
Mr. Lawrence. It may be .said of Mr. Caldwell that he was a 
good business man, careful, painstaking and honest, against 
whose i)ublic or ])rivate life there was no reproach. He was 
not a man to thrust himself into notice. He was quiet and 
unassuming, but earnest and faithful. In his church relations 
as a member of the Orthodox church, he shared cheerfully its 
work and burdens, contributed liberally to its support and coun- 
seled wisely in its affairs. As a man and a Christian he is 
worthy to be honored and remembered. 

Augustus Whitman was born at South Abington in 
March, 1821. His father, who died in 1878, aged nearly 94 
years, was a prominent lawyer of Plymouth County, and served 
several terms in the State Senate. Mr. Whitman was educated 
in the schools of his native town and at Phillips Academy at 
I'.xeter. He was possessed of marked traits of character which 
distinf^uished him and rendered his life work successful 
Although he suffered from physical infirmities for many years, 
his mind was clear and active, and as a financier he had few 
superiors in this part of the State. His career gives an exam- 
ple of what may be achieved through uprightness of character, 
honesty of purpose, a just regard for the rights and happiness 
of others and an indomitable will, which, in his case, triumphed 
over physical infirmities. He was just and exact in all his deal- 
ings, kindly in disposition, generous in his contributions to 
both public and private enterprises, and a friend to worthy 
yount,^ men, numy of whom have cause to bless his meniory for 



14^ LEOMINSTKR, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

material assistance and advice. Mr. Whitman made his home 
in this tcnvn for many years, where he gave considerable atten- 
tion to stock raising, and was one of the most extensive stock 
breeders in Worcester county, and paid a larger tax into the 
town treasury, than any other single individual or corporation, 
llis death was caused by an accident. He was killed very 
suddenly by being thrown from his carriage, in the orchard 
adjoining his residence at Worcester, on Saturday, October 2d, 
1S80. By the provisions of Mr. Whitman's will, among other 
benefactions, the ("ongregational churches at North Leomin- 
ster and South Abington, received $5000 each. 

Dr. James M. Randali., son of J. M. and A. R. Randall, 
was born in Woburn, Mass., Oct. 9, 1857. ^"^ ^^^^ ^ graduate 
of Harvard Medical School. He settled in this town, in the 
year 1878, opening an office in the old Post Office build- 
ing, owned by Charles H. Colbiu-n. He was )'()ung, ambitious 
and deeplv interested in his chosen profession. At this time 
the age of Dr. Field made his large practice burdensome to 
him, and becoming acquainted with the young allopath, who 
was entering u]3on the same line of ]:)ractice v/hich he had fol- 
lowed successfully ior half a century, a mutual respect and con- 
fidence resulted in a mutual benefit, Dr. Randall taking charge 
of the night work for Dr. P^ield and becoming ([uite intimately 
associated with him in his practice, and gained the confidence 
of his many patients, who naturally turned towards him when in 
need of a physician after the decease of Dr. L^ield. This, added 
to his own large practice, resulted in a heavy burden ; notwith- 
standing which, the doctor gladly devoted all his time and ener- 
gies fulfilling what he considered his mission to those in suffer- 
ing and tlistress. After being here some two years he moved 
into the Putnam house on Main street, his mother and sister 
coming to town at that time, to reside with him, and later on 




EMERSON PRESCOTT. 



J. AUGUSTUS KENDALL 



r.ionRAi'incAL. 149 

lu' i)urchasc(l the Dr. I-'icUl i)lacc, rcniodcUint;' it to suit his 
taste. It was at this time, and in the midst of arduous profes- 
sional duties that siekness came, and he who had often been a 
source of strength to others, was himself unable to resist the 
destroyer. He passed away on the afternoon of November 4th, 
1884, leaving the memor\' of a spotless character and an influ- 
ence for good which is still felt in the community. 

Emokv Tilton was born in Conway, Mass., April 24, 18 17. 
He removed to Leominster in 1853, purchasing the Leominster 
House of Mr. E. Balch, and was proprietor of the same for 
some fifteen years. Soon after leaving the hotel he went into 
the Dry Goods and Cirocery business in which he continued until 
^^73, when he was elected a member of the Water Board ; 
and after the completion of the Works he was made the first 
Superintendent. This position he held up to the time of his 
death. In addition to his work in helping to secure a water 
supply for the town, may be mentioned his interest in the 
Fire Department. For many years he was a member of the 
Board of Engineers, serving at one time as Chief. His death 
occurred Jan. r, 1880. 

Though not a church member, Mr. Tilton was actively iden- 
tified with the Orthodo.x Congregational Society, where, as in 
his home and among business men, he was highly esteemed for 
his sterling worth and integrity. 

William Tilton was born in Brighton, Mass., in 18 14, and 
that same year his parents moved to Conway, where he lived 
until twenty-four years of age. In 1S38, he went to Ludlow, 
\'t., and commenced the horn comb business, which he carried 
on for twelve years. Ik- was there honored with various town 
offices, and also served as a Justice of the I'eace. In 1852 he 
came to Leominster, and shortly after went into partnership 
with the Messrs. Look Brothers, under the firm name of Look, 



150 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Tilton, & Co., in the horn comb business. He was honored by 
the town with several important trusts, and was, for the last 
two or three years of his life, collector of taxes.. In the winter 
of 1869-70, under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Earle, he exper- 
ienced religion and united with the Orthodox Congregational 
Church and ever after took an active interest in all its affairs. 
He was a member of the building committee of the new house 
of worship and one upon whom a full share of the labor and 
responsibility came, and by whom it was cheerfully borne. He 
was Treasurer of the Church at the time of his death, which 
occurred Dec. 7th, 1873. Mr. Tilton was married Nov. 24th, 
1846, to Miss Cornelia A, Wyman. They had two sons, Wm. 
Francis and Edward B., the latter being one of the active busi- 
ness men of Leominster at the present time. 



CHAPTER IX, 



BIOGRAPHY BY FAMILIES. 



No attempt will be made in this 
chapter to enter into the genealogy 
of the families referred to, but to 
give some items of family history, 
through the medium of brief sketch- 
es of the heads of families and most 
prominent members who are, or have 
been, residents of this town ; present- 
ing the most important facts in the 
life of each. The families selected 
are the Morses, Burrages, Carters, Mills, and Joslins ; each rep- 
resented by numerous descendants in this immediate vicinity. 

THE MORSE'S. 

The families of Gardner and Augustus Morse are descend- 
ed from Joseph Morse, of whom history gives us the following : 
Rom in England, in 1587, emigrated to New England, 1635, 
settled in Ipswich, prior to 1641. It further says he was prob- 




152 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE, 

ably among the early but not the first proprietors and settlers 
of Ipswich, whose incorporation took place 1633, for it is evident 
from their records that he was acting as Commoner with them 
Dec. 28th, 1642, and the extent of his improvements four years 
later, indicate an earlier commencement than 1641. The de- 
struction of their earliest records precludes the hope of discov- 
ering his relative standing in the community ; but from the 
company in which he is found, the uncommon education in his 
family, and the references in his will to copies of precious re- 
ligious books, it is inferred that he was a person of standing 
and piety ; and that, by his prayers and godly example, as well 
as by his sacrifices and enterprise, he has imposed everlasting 
obligations on his race. His will is dated F"eb. 2d, 1646. In 
this, he gave a dwelling-house to his wife, Dorothea, his new 
cloak to his son, Joseph, his great Bible to Hannah, and other 
Bibles and religious books to his children. 

Gardner Morse was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 181 1, 
came to Leominster in 1827, was apprenticed to Bezaleel 
Gibson for four years, to learn the comb business, bought his 
time the last three months, beginning business on his own ac- 
count July, 1832, in company with Erastus Thompson, on West 
street, at what is now the corner of Exchange street. This 
firm was succeeded by Gardner Morse & Co., the business be- 
ing removed to the old Stearns Mill, at the foot of Carter's Hill, 
where Smith's Piano Forte works are at present located. 
Later on the firm of G. & A. Morse was formed, and the build- 
ing up of Morseville, begun, a large brick factory being built 
for the manufacture of combs ; the firm employing some 100 
hands in this line of business, doing a business of $ioo,oco a 
year; a large business for that period. Afterwards, on the 
.same stream, they established the piano business, and later on, 
the ^chair business, employing, altogether, several hundred 





GARDNER MORSE. 



MAJ-GEN. AUGUSTUS MCRSE. 





ALdfcKI (j. MORSE. 



RALPH G. MORSE. 



RIOGRAPHV RV FAMILIES. 153 

hands, necessitating- the buil(hn<;- of between twenty and thirty 
houses for their accommodation, besides the factories. Morse- 
\ ille, u]) to the breaking- out of the war, was a very busy part 
of Leominster. General A. Morse being called at tliat time, by 
the (iovernor, to assist in fitting out troops for the war, the 
tiiin was ilissolved, continuing from that time forward as G. 
Morse & Co., covering a business career of over fifty years. 
Mr. Morse married in 1833, I\Iary, daughter of Manassah Wil- 
lard, of Sterling, whose death occurred in 1883, after a happy 
union of nearly fifty years, residing in the same house on We.st 
street, for a period of forty-five years, where a family of 8 chil- 
dren were raised to man and womanhood. Mary C, the eldest, 
died in 1873, (ieorge V., and Albert G., of whom mention will 
be matle, Charles A., the youngest son, who cHed in 1883, was 
a graduate of the Institute of Technology, and had acquired 
quite a reputation as a chemist among those who knew him. 
Anna M. is a teacher of music and painting and resides in 
Leominster, as does I'^lizabeth A., who married, in 1859, John 
II. Rice, whose family consists of one son, J. F. Rice, engaged 
in business in l-'itchburg, and three daughters, Ahiry, Helen, 
and I'Mith. Henrietta A. married K. K. Abbot, of Norwich, 
Conn., who died in 1870, leaving two sons, Willie ant! Charley, 
who reside, at present, in Norwich, Conn., with their mother. 
Sadie II., the youngest daughter, is Supervisor of Music in the 
public schools of Fall River. 

Georgk F. Mor.se was born in Leominster Oct. 16th, 1835, 
in the house known as the Micah R. Ball house on West St. 
The following April his parents purchased what has been 
known for the past fifty years as the Gardner Morse place, on 
West street. Moving thereto brought them within School dis- 
trict No. 2, where the youth attended school until the age of 
twelve. In that year (1847) the Leominster High School was 
organized, with W. S. Phillips as its first teacher ; and the sub- 

2U 



154 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ject of this sketch was admitted as a pupil at the first term. 
After finishing a four years' course at the High School, he 
commenced work in the importing house of Hill, Burrage, & 
Co., Boston. (Alvah A. and Chas. H. Burrage, of the firm, 
being natives of Leominster). After serving two years at this 
business, at a salary of fifty dollars the first year and one hund- 
red the second, he returned to Leominster and was in the em- 
ploy of G. & A. Morse, during the years of 1854-5-6, as book- 
keeper for the mill and manager of the grocery store connected 
with it. In 1857 the Morse Comb Company was formed, con- 
sisting of Gardner Morse, \Vm. Booth, J. F. Goodhue, and G. 

F. Morse. The loss of the mill by fire caused the dissolution 
of this Company the year following. Later on, the firm of G, 
Morse & Son was formed, which continued until 1861, when 

G. F. Morse went into the army as clerk in the Quartermaster's 
Department. In 1862 he joined the 3d Division, 3d Army 
Corps, General Whipple, commanding. Continuing in the 
Quartermaster's department of this division from Harper's 
Ferry to Fredericksburg. He left the army in 1863, and, in 
company with General Morse, bought the city hotel property 
at Annapolis, Md. Disposing of his interest in the property 
the year following, he returned to Leominster, engaging once 
more in the comb business, until 1869, when he located in Bos- 
ton, as proprietor of the Creighton House, on Tremont street. 
After a year's experience, and proving to his satisfaction that 
he could "keep a hotel," he sold the business to Mr. F. E. 
Balch and returned to Leominster. In 1871 the firm of G. 
Morse & Co. was formed, consisting of G. Morse, G. F. Morse, 
and A. G. Morse ; for the manufacture of combs and dealing in 
horns. G. F. & A. G. Morse taking the latter branch of the 
business the year following, and under the firm of G. F. Morse 
& Co., continuing the same for twelve years. The prosecution 
of this business requird extensive travel, taking him, in 1875, 



BIOGRAPHV liV FAMILIKS. 155 

to California, in 1880, to Cuba and Mexico ; going from Hava- 
na to the City of Mexico in company with Cicncrals (irant and 
Sheridan, at the time (jrant was completing his visit around 
the world. 

In 1 88 1 a trip was made to Europe. A portion of 1882 was 
spent in California, having been elected President of the South 
Spring Mill (iold Mining Co., of Amador, California, which 
office he continues to hold, spending a portion of his time at 
the mines. At the first annual election of Directors of the 
Wachusett National Bank of Fitchburg, held in 1876, he 
was chosen a member of the Board, which office he has been 
annually chosen to fill, up to the present writing. Upon the 
organization of the Hecla Powder Company, of New York, in 
1 88 1, he was chosen President, holding the office until 1888. 
He is, also, a director in the Leominster Gas Company, to 
which office he was chosen in 1884. He has held the office of 
Notary Public and Justice of the Peace since receiving his 
commission from Gov. Thomas Talbot, in 1874; and, also, fill- 
ed numerous minor offices. 

In 1859 he married Mary E. Tufts of Fitchburg, the result 
of this union being five children : Ralph G., the eldest, is the 
Sec'y of the Hecla Powder Co. of New York ; Alice A., is the 
wife of C. A. Joslin, Town Clerk and Treasurer; Florence T., 
is the wife of \V. A. Putnan. book-keeper, Leominster National 
Bank ; Margaret and Mabel, (the twins,) living with their par- 
ents on Church St. 

Aldkkt G. Morse was born in Leominster in 1846, and be- 
gan business for himself, at the age of 21, in Boston. In 1869 
he went West and engaged in business in Illinois and Kansas 
for two years ; returning to Leominster in 1S71, he formed a 
partnership with his brother, under the name of G. F. Morse 
& Co., continuing for twelve years in the business of Comb 
Manufacturers' Supplies, Afterwards, he " 'ped to organize 



156 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

the Hecla Powder Co. of New York, acting as Secretary of the 
Company for two years, with a residence in Elizabeth, N, J. 
The year 1884 was spent as publisher of the Leominster En- 
h'lprise, the paper being turned over, at the end of that time, 
to the old proprietor, Mr. F. N. Boutwell. 

In the spring of 1886, Mr. Morse organized the Bay State 
Shirt Co., of which Company he is at present Treasurer and 
Manager, employing some hundred and fifty hands. He was 
chosen a Director of the Northboro National Bank in February, 
1880, holding the office until his removal to New York, in 1883. 

In January, 1871, he married Emilia G. Christian of Detroit, 
Mich., having two children, Anna Cj. and Willard Ives. Their 
residence has been corner of West and Blossom Sts. for the 
past fifteen years. 

Augustus Morse was born in Worcester in 18 17, (May 
16,) where he lived 10 years, when he went with his parents to 
Fitchburg, where the next four years were spent ; part of the time 
in school and the balance working in the old stone mill. The year 
following was spent in Peterboro, N. H., working for his father, 
who was engaged in the manufacture of paper. He then re- 
turned to F"itchburg, at the age of 16, accepting a situation as 
second overseer in the mill owned by (jcneral Ivers Jewett, at- 
tending school that winter in the old brick schoolhouse on 
Blossom street ; Col. Ivers Phillips being the teacher. In 1832 
he came to Leominster to learn the comb trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of four years to his brother Gardner, at $50 a year 
and board, at the end of which time the partnership of G. & A. 
Morse was formed. This partnership continued until the out- 
break of the war in 1861, when, as Major General of Mass. 
Militia, he was summoned by Gov. Andrew to take command, 
in Boston, of all troops which were reporting for duty, and to 
be despatched for the seat of war. He was chiefly instrument- 
al in placing General Butler in comniand of the First Brigade, 



BIOGKArHV RV FAMILIES. I 57 

which left Mass. the i6th of April and cut through the blood- 
thirsty mob at Baltimore, securing the Capitol to the Union. 

His militarN- career began at the age of 18, when he joined 
the Leominster Rifle Company, holding the various offices, up 
all the grades, receiving his commission as Captain from Gov. 
Hriggs. He was elected Major of 9th Regt., M. V. M., then 
Colonel, serving two years, when he was elected Brigadier (jen- 
eral. He was chosen by the Legislature of 1855-6 as Major 
(ieneral of 3d Division, M. V. M. He received his commission 
from the Secretary of State, and held the office until August, 
1 86 1, when he resigned and was made Col. of the 21st Mass. 
Regt. He was sworn into service of the U. S. on the 21st of 
that month and started, with his Regt., looo men, strong, with 
orders to re[)ort at Washington, D. C. He was stopped at l^al- 
timore by order of Secretary of War, Cameron, to report to 
Major (jcn. Di.x, then commanding the Dept. of Baltimore, and 
by him ordered to proceed with his Regt. to Annapolis, Md., to 
take command of that military post. E.xtending his command 
to Annapolis Junction and a part of Baltimore & Ohio R. R., 
(the only conveyance by rail from the North to Washington) to 
guard that railroad for si.x miles, and also extending some thir- 
ty miles on Chesapeake Bay and south toward the Potomac 
river. While there, in command as Col., he was appointed by 
President Lincoln, Military Governor of that section ; serving 
until the following summer in this capacity, when he resigned 
the office. In Sept., 1862, he was commissioned by President 
Lincoln, Quartermaster, with headquarters at Fredericksburg, 
filling the position with honor and ability until he retired from 
the service in the fall of 1863, since which time he has not had 
on a uniform ; preferring the peaceful walks of life to the blood 
and carnage of war, or the vain-glory of political office. 

Col. Morse held numerous civil offices during his residence 
in Leominster, being chosen as one of the Selectmen at the 



158 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

age of 29 ; serving on the Board the year the brick town house 
(our present town hall) was built. He served, also, as Collect- 
or of Taxes, and in many minor offices ; holding the office of 
Justice of the Peace for 14 years. He married Caroline, daugh- 
ter of Manassah VVillard, of Sterling, residing for many years 
near his brother, Gardner, on West street ; bringing up a fami- 
ly of eight children, two girls and six boys. Eliza J., wife of 
Abner W. Pollard, formerly in ihe clothing business in this 
town, but who is at present the head of the Butterick Publish- 
ing Company in New York City. This Company have in their 
immediate employ some 800 persons, besides having some 3500 
branch offices in the United States and England. Harrison A., 
manager of the factory of the Butterick Publishing Co. in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. Julius T., who is located in Kansas. Jerome 
E., a graduate of the U. S. Naval x^cademy, was placed on the 
retired list, on account of his eye-sight, after serving the gov- 
ernment, in official capacity, for eleven years. He is at pres- 
ent Treasurer of the Hecla Powder Co. of New York City, and 
is, also, largely interested in mining in Colorado. Joseph H., 
is a lawyer in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he has recently located 
after som.e ten years in Kansas, where he was at one time a 
member of the State Legislature, also, U. S. Silk Commission- 
er. Elbridge W., resides in New York, and is a traveling sales- 
man. Carrie F. resides, at present, with her father in Brook- 
lyn. The youngest, P'rederick E., after a short but promising 
business career, was cut down by an accident to his knee, while 
in bathing in Whalom l^ond, which resulted in fever, causing 

his death. 

THE BURRAGES. 

The families of Deacon William and Capt. Josiah Burrage, 
of Leominster, are descended from John Burrage who was born 
in Norton Subcourse, a parish of Norfolk County, ( near Nor- 
wich,) England. According to the researches of Hon. A. A. 






nm 






i'vl 




■m 




IlolSH IN LEOMINSTER. 

KOIIJHT ItV \VM. lUKKAGE IN 1707 AM) IN WHICH HK DIKK IN IHJO. 




^Jl.lJ CllUKell IN Nol<li>.\ 



mOGRAnilV UV FAMILIES. 159 

I)urragc, we find by the parish records that he was baptized 
April lO, 1616, and that in all probability he was sixteen years 
old at the time of his father's death, remaining at home assist- 
ing his mother in the care of the farm until he attained his 
majority in the spring of 1637. Owing to the tyranical rule of 
Charles I, in forcing ship money tax upon his people and in 
other ways exercising an arbitrary authority o\'er the Kingdom, 
many of his subjects, in 1637, abandoned their native land and 
following the example of the Pilgrim Fathers, emigrated to 
America and settled in the wilds of New England. Among 
this number was John Burrage of Norton Subcourse. It is not 
known by what ship he came, but his name appears on the 
town records of Charlestown, Massachusetts under the date of 
1637, and from a descrii)tion of his "possessions" in the same 
book, it is probable that the estate was located within the 
limits of the Charlestown Navy Yard, near the western en- 
trance, at the foot of Water street, and that he owned and 
operated the ferry between Boston and Charlestown in com- 
pany with Francis Hudson, who lived on the Boston side, the 
landing place being located on the premises of the owners. In 
addition to his duties as Ferryman Mr. Burrage served several 
years as "Clerk of the Market." The market place was in 
what is now Charlestown Square. He was also chosen "Salt 
Measurer," by the town. In 1662-4 he, in company with his 
son, John Burrage, Jr., were engaged in shipping horses to 
Barbadoes. Thus it will be seen that he was a busy and no 
doubt a prosperous man. He had been blessed with a large 
family of children and was an active and a useful citizen, but 
his last days were clouded by misfortune. In 167J, which was 
some thirteen years before his death, he met with an accident, 
being thrown from a horse, which occasioned the loss of his 
reason. In 1677 his eldest, and most promising son, John Jr. 
died of small pox, during the epidemic in Charlestown, in which 



l60 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ninety-one persons died during the year. Following immedi- 
ately upon this, the eldest of his two surviving sons, Jacob-like 
took advantage of his father's mental incapacity to get posses- 
sion of his property. This scheme was, however, only tempo- 
rarily successful and eventually the property was divided 
among all the rightful heirs. 

Dea. William Burrage, of Leominster, was born Sept. 
2d, 1768. He was apprenticed at an early age to Benjamin 
Hawks, a tanner in Leominste-r. Having finished his appren- 
ticeship he commenced the tanning and currying business for 
himself in a small way in the north part of the town, where, 
through industry and frugality he succeeded in gaining a com- 
petency. In 1 8 14 he was chosen a deacon of the First Congre- 
gational Church which office he filled until his death in 1844. 
He was for many years a prominent citizen, and was often 
chosen to fill offices of trust and responsibility. He was twice 
married. First to Mary Joslin of Leominster, by whom he had 
six children. His second wife was Roxanna Sanderson of Lan- 
caster, by whom he had eight children. 

Capt. Leonard Burrage, was for many years one of 
Leominster's most valued and prominent citizens. Born 
March 14, 1797, he died April 18, 1888, in the house built by 
himself seventy years ago, directly opposite his birthplace in 
the North Village. As the eldest son of Deacon Wm. Bur- 
rage, he inherited a love for honest work and the belief that 
labor was honorable. Learning the trade of tanner in his 
father's shop, soon after his majority, he was admitted to a 
share in the business, and later became sole owner, building it 
up to a large and profitable position. Associated with his 
cousin, George S. Burrage, in 1836 he began the manufacture of 
shoes, being one of the pioneers in that industry in New Eng- 
land, and in 1844 retired with a fortune. Never blessed with 
children, with the cordial help of his wife, (Mira Allen) he 




Capt. LEONARD BURRAGE. 



RIOGRAPHV RV FAMILIES. l6l 

devoted himself to relieving the distress of the needy, and to 
broad works of charity. Most of his generous gifts remain 
unknown, sa\-e that they were almost countless. He contrib- 
uted largely to the building of every church in town, giving 
especially to the Congregational Church in the North Village, 
later giving a lot of land with a handsome parsonage building 
on it, and by will $6500 more. By will he gave large sums to 
various charities ; $5000 to the Town of Leominster ; $3000 
to the worthy poor ; $2000 to the Public Library ; $20,000 to 
Olivet College, Michigan, without condition, which will be 
devoted to building the " Burrage Library. " Earnest, honora- 
ble, shrewd and clear headed, his ability and sterling character 
early commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, 
and he was often honored at their hands. He was a Captain 
in the militia at 21, then a most honorable position, and for 
many successive years was Moderator of town meetings. He 
took an active part in town affairs, serving in every important 
town office, being many years on School Committee and Board 
of Selectmen. Capt. Burrage represented the town with great 
ability in the General Court in the years 1833, 1843, 44, 45. and 
during a long series of years was interested in nearly every 
town matter. Until old age compelled his retirement he was 
President of the Leominster Savings Bank, also a director in 
the RoUstone National l^ank of Fitchburg and other corpora- 
tions. 

A great, brave and kindly heart is stilled, the weak, the 
aged and the poor have lost a friend who never failed them, by 
the passing on of Capt. Leonard Burrage. 

GiiORr;E Sanderson Burrage. the oldest son of Dea. \Vm. 
by his second wife, was born >Lay 15. 1823. At the age of 25 
he moved to Ashburnham, bought a large tract of wood land 
and engaged in the manufacture of chairs. A few years after 
his brothers, William F. and Charles \V., joined him in the 
21 



l62 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

enterprise, and built a large chair factory, and carried on a 
large business ; they gathered so much of a village about their 
works, that the Government granted a Post Office with the 
name of Burrageville. Unfortunately this enterprise did not 
continue many years, on account of the factory being destroyed 
by fire. Soon after, George Sanderson went with his family to 
San Francisco, Cal., and engaged in the furniture business, and 
later on, went into grape raising in Napa Valley, where he died 
May 1 6, 1876, at the age of 53 years. He was twice married ; 
his first wife was Martha G. Phelps, of Leominster, by whom 
he had two daughters, Clara and Ellen. By his last wife, Aure- 
lia Chamberlain, he had a daughter, Cora C, who survived him 
but a short time. Charles D. and Albert C, are their only 
surviving children. Both entered the legal profession. Chas. 
D. is in the practice of his profession in Gardner, Mass., and is 
President of the Lithotype Publishing Co., of that place. 
Albert C. is in the practice of his profession in Boston. 

William F. Blrrage, the second son of Dea. William, by 
his second wife, was born April 5, 1826. As has been said he 
joined his brothers, George Sanderson and Charles W., in the 
Burrageville enterprise under the firm name of Burrage Broth- 
ers, but sold out his interest not long before the Chair Factory 
was burned. While in Ashburnham he was Justice of the 
Peace and served the juiblic in other ways. He held the office 
of Post Master and was also station agent until 1867, when he 
with his family, returned to Leominster, where he took an ac- 
tive interest in town affairs, was a prominent and valued citi- 
zen. He was for several years a director in the First National 
Bank of Leominster. In 1872 he took a journey to California 
and Oregon, on account of his health, which was much im- 
paired, and to visit his brothers. He returned without being 
much improved. He married, July 25, 1849, Eveline W. Law- 
rence, who survives him. He died Nov. 11, 1873, leaving three 




V. 



^3 



%f 



:</0^' 




GEORGE SANDERSON BURRAGE. 



BIOGRAPHY BY FAMILIES. 163 

children, two daughters and a son. The daughters were Mary 
1^. and Hattie M., very amiable young ladies of great promise, 
who survived him barely a year. The son, Leonard F., is in 
the Dry Goods business in Leominster. 

CiiAKLKS \V. BuKRAGi:, the third son of Dea. William, by 
the second wife, was born Aug. 25, 1830. As has been said he 
was one of the firm of Burrage Brothers. After the Chair Fac- 
tory was burned he went to New Haven and completed his 
college course at Yale University. He, with his family, then 
wer.t to Portland, Oregon, where he carried on a large business 
as Civil Engineer, for many years. He was a prominent and 
influential citizen. In 1886 he retired from active life and, 
with his family, went to Spokane Falls, where he now resides 
enjoying the fruits of his labor. He married Sarah J. Hills of 
Leominster. Their son Edward, a very worthy young man 
died in 1887. William H. and Charles F. are their two sons 
now living, both of whom are Civil Engineers and located in 
Washington Territory. Two daughters of Dea. William Bur- 
rage survived their father. Mary Jane, who was a young lady 
of great promise, died at the age of twenty-two years. The 
other daughter, Martha Ann, who married Porter M. Kimball, 
of Leominster, died November 4, 1863. 

Capt. Josiah Burrage was born Aug. 16, 1770. He re- 
mained at home working on his father's farm or for the neigh- 
boring farmers, until thirty years of age, when he married 
.March 7, 1800, Ruth Kilburn, a daughter of William Kilburn, 
of Lunenburg. He probably had saved of his earnings up to 
that time five or si.\ hundred dollars, barely enough to pay for 
stock and tools for a farm and scanty furniture for his dwelling. 
With the assistance of his brother William, who offered to be- 
come jointly responsible with him for the purchase money, he, 
in the spring of 1801, bought the intervale farm adjoining the 
homestead place. The young couple moved on to their farm 



164 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

and there for forty-five years they lived, rearing a family of 
thirteen children and paying for the place. During that time 
from fifty to seventy-five acres were added to the original pur- 
chase, another barn, cider mill and other outbuildings were 
erected, the house enlarged and finished in modern style, the 
whole paid for and the farm then entirely freed from debt. 
The magnitude of the task accomplished can be partially real- 
ized from the fact that the interest payable on the debt in- 
curred was fifty cents a day, and that it required the equivalent 
of two bushels of potatoes or four pounds of the best butter to 
pay one day's interest. It is evident that under the circum- 
stances he could not have supported his family and paid for his 
farm by any ordinary day's labor. He evidently did not be- 
lieve in the eight and ten hours a day notions of the present 
day. He was blessed with a compact, hardy and vigorous 
physical organization, and from his youth until he reached the 
age of seventy-five years, probably averaged fourteen or fifteen 
hours a day of hard work. In the winter he would leave his 
bed two or three hours before sunrise, and after making a fire 
in the kitchen, fill the tea kettle and hang it on the crane in 
the fire-place, then go to the barn and "fodder" his oxen and 
fifteen or twenty other cattle. Meanwhile his wife would rise 
and prepare breakfast, which was always eaten by candle light. 
After breakfast he would yoke the o.xen to the cart or sled, 
take his dinner, put up in a small tin pail, and about an hour 
before the sun was up, start for the wood lot, about two miles 
distant, put on a load of wood and carry it to Lancaster village 
or Leominster, each about four miles distant from the wood lot. 
The day's work was usually the carting of two loads of a cord 
each, and then return home, travelling twelve to sixteen miles 
with an ox team, beside loading and unloading the wood. He 
would reach home two or three hours after susnet, put up and 
feed his team, eat a hearty supper, which he would find pre- 




blKTU PLACE OF MRS. RUTH KILBURN BURRAGE I78O. 




CHAKLKSroWN lEKRY AND RKSIDENCE OF JOHN BURKAGE 1657. 



l66 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

latter bequest was duly fulfilled by his executors Sept. 1875. 

Emory Burrage, second son of Captain Josiah, was the 
only one of nine sons who remained at home to assist his fa- 
ther on the farm until of age. When twenty three years of 
age he married Mary, the daughter of his uncle, Thomas Bur- 
rage, and the young couple took up their abode with her pa- 
rents, in the house bought by their grandfather, William Bur- 
rage, in 1767. (See engraving). They took charge of the farm 
and cared for the old people as long as they lived. In 1848, 
Mr. Burrage was chosen a deacon of the First Congregational 
(Unitarian) Church, and was also called upon by his fellow citi- 
zens to fill other offices of responsibility and trust. Owing to 
the infirmities of age, the labor of carrying on the place be- 
came burdensome, and Deacon Burrage and his wife disposed 
of the farm and moved into the North Village. The farm was 
bought by Mr. T. Dvvight Wood of Westminster. The old 
house was torn down about 1835, and a more modern one built 
in its place, and a few years before leaving, Dea. Burrage built 
an addition, so that the house is now very unlike what it was. 

George Sumner Burrage, fourth son of Captain Josiah, 
was born Aug. loth, 1806. When twelve years of age he was 
apprenticed to his uncle, William Burrage, to learn the tanning 
and currying business. After serving his full time, he went to 
Boston, remaining several years in business for himself. In 
1830, returning to his native town, he entered into partnership 
with his cousin, Capt. Leonard Burrage, in the old shop where 
he learned his trade. In 1845 this co-partnership was dissolved 
and for some years after he was engaged in the manufacture of 
shoes, but for the last twenty years of his life was not engaged 
in any special business. He was considered a sagacious busi- 
ness man, and was often placed in positions of responsibility 
and trust by his fellow townsmen. He represented his town in 
the Legislature in 185 i, and cast, as he was sometimes pleased 
to term it, the vote which elected Charles Sumner to the Uni- 



BIOGKAPHIV r.Y 1 AMILIKS. I67 

ted States Senate, he being elected by one majority. I lis sym- 
l)athies were with the Anti-Slavery and Temperance reforms in 
which he actively engaged at a time when those questions were 
extremely unpopular. At the time of his death he was one of 
the trustees of the Leominster Savings Hank and a member of 
the Water Hoard. For quite a number of years he was a mem- 
ber of the Orthodox Congregational Church, and in the forma- 
tion of the Xortli Leominster Church he took an active inter- 
est. He died suddenly, of heart disease, at his residence in 
North Leominster, Sunday morning, Feb. 25th, 1877. 

Ai,MiRA, the eldest daughter of Josiah Burrage, was born 
Feb. 1 6th, 18 10. She lived with her parents until she married 
James II. Marshall of Leominster. After a long and .severe 
illness, from which she appeared to be recovering, she died sud- 
denly, Nov. loth, 1872, in Canada, where she had gone a few 
weeks before on account of her health. 

The remaining daughters married out of town. Sarah .\nn, 
the second daughter, married David McClure of Cambridgeport. 
Martha, the third daughter, married John Dallinger of Cam- 
bridge. 

Ei.i/ABKTii SMirii, the fourth daughter, married Peter Far- 
well of I-'itchbnrg. Their eldest daughter, Catherine S., mar- 
ried James X. Steele of Chicago, and now lives in that city. 
Mr. and Mrs. I'arwell resided in Leominster, at one time, on 
the homestead farm of her father, until 1870 when, all but the 
youngest of the children having gone to Chicago to live, they 
also removed to that city. 

The sons not already mentioned, engaged in business and 
spent the greater part of their lives in other towns or cities. 

John', the second son, was educated as a lawyer. 

Josiah, the third son. was the first of the family to trv their 
fortunes in Boston. 

William, the fifth son, worked for a time in the paper mills 
at North Leominster, and afterwards learned the trade of tan- 



l68 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ner and currier of his uncle, William, and his cousin, Leonard 
Burrage, and, at twenty-two years of age, went to Boston. 

Joseph, the sixth son, also left the farm and apprenticed 
himself, as did Geo. S. and William, to learn the tanning and 
currying business at the old shop, then in charge of his cousin 
Leonard and George S. He, too, went to Boston and estab- 
lished himself in business in 1837. 

Johnson C. the seventh son, early showed an inclination 
for trade, and at fifteen years of age, entered the country vari- 
ety store of George H. Hills in the center of Leominster. In 
1835 his brothers, George S. and W^illiam, found him a situation 
in Boston. 

Alvah Augustus, the eighth son, at the age of sixteen, 
went to Boston at the proposal of Johnson C., and entered the 
store of Richardson & Burrage to learn the business of selling- 
woolen goods. He was afterwards interested as a partner in 
several firms, his last business connection being with his 
brother, Charles H., and two other partners, under the firm 
style of Burrage Brothers, & Co., until Dec. 31, 1883, when 
Alvah A. Burrage retired from active participation in trade. 
At the great fire in 1872, all of the Burrages doing business in 
Boston, lost heavily; Burrage Brothers & Co., about $100,000 ; 
J. C. Burrage & Co., about $50,000; and Reed & Clesson, with 
whom Joseph Burrage was a special partner, lost $28,800. 

While in active business Mr. Burrage served two years 
i867to69, in the Legislature, and since his retirement from 
trade has served two years 1875-6, on the Board of Aldermen of 
Boston. About the year 1855 he became interested in genea- 
logical matters, and commenced making investigations and 
collecting material for a genealogical history of the New Eng- 
land branch of the Burrage family. Owing to business engage- 
ments and other duties, the materials and preparation of the 
work was not accomplished until 1877, when the Burrage Me- 
morial was published. Through the courtesy of Mr. Burragq 



BIOGRAPHY 15V FAMILIES. 169 

wc arc allowed to gather from its pages many of the facts here 
gi\cn, and also to republish some of the engravings of special 
interest to Leominster people. The old church at Norton 
Subcourse, built in 1 31X7, is described as "a single i)ile and 
thatched, with a round tower and three bells." The engraving 
is a good representation of the church as seen by Mr. Burrage 
in 1886. 

The cut of the Capt. l^urrage homestead was engraved from 
an oil painting by a young artist by the name of Burrage, an 
ICnglishman, painted in 1846-47. 

Reference has already been made in the Military cha|)ter, to 
the patriotic sacrifices of members of this family during tiie 
Rebellion. In order to make the list complete we gi\-e here- 
with the names of those of the tenth and eleventh generations, 
who enlisted in the Army and fought in defense of our country. 
Joseph l^M-rin Burrage, of Arlington, Thomas Fairbanks Bur- 
rage, of Ro.xbury, Henry Sweetser Burrage, of Fitchburg, Wil- 
liam Allen l^urrage, of Leominster, ICdward Carter Burrage, of 
Boston, George b'rancis l^urrage of Leominster. 

TiiF carti:rs. 

Among the first to settle uj^on the territor\- known as the 
Lancaster New or Additional Grant, afterwards, (Julv 1740,) in- 
corporated as the Town of Leominster, were four brothers, .sons 
of Samuel Carter of Lancaster. Nathaniel, who settled on l^ee 
Hill in 1735, Jonathan, near Chualoom pond, Oliver and Jo- 
siah, whose lands extended from the bridge on Granite street 
to the top of Monoosnock; Oliver's being on the south side 
and Josiah's on the north, these two farms and a part of the 
one on Bee Hill being still occupied by direct descendants of 
the original owners. The tradition is that the father, Samuel, 
gave to his sons these farms, they cho-.ing the location in the 
order of their birth, 



170 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

These four brothers were of the fourth generation from 
Rev. Thomas Carter of Woburn, who is supposed to have been 
the first of this branch of the family in New England, thus : 
Rev. Thomas, ist. Rev. Samuel, 2d, Samuel, 3d, Nathaniel, Jon- 
athan, Oliver and Josiah, 4th. From these, with but few excep- 
tions, were descended all the Leominster Carters. 

Of the families of Nathaniel and Jonathan, very few remain 
who bear the Carter name. 

Of the descendants of Oliver, who have made Leominster 
their home, was Mr. Wilder Carter, son of Dea. Ephraim, born 
Feb. 10, 1774, died Feb. 29, 1848. He occupied the original 
farm of his ancestor, represented the town in General Court in 
1829-30-31, was engaged in the cjuarrying of granite on Mon- 
oosnock and the manufacture of brick. He had three sons, 
George R., born Aug. 3, 1806, who, after doing business in 
Boston and California, is spending his declining years among 
the scenes of his childhood. William Sawyer, born March 8, 
181 1, died June 6, 1847. He was associated in business with 
his father and interested in the improvement and progress of 
the community. Two daughters survive him : Mrs. Caroline I. 
Chancy, wife of Rev. George L. Chaney of Atlanta, Ga., whose 
summer home is on Carter Hill, and Mrs. Catharine S. Blunt 
of New York city. The other son died unmarried. 

Capt. James Carter, son of Josiah, above mentioned, born 
in Leominster, Dec. 12, 1778, died May 26, 1850, inherited the 
parental estate, the north farm on Carter Hill. He had eleven 
children who were esteemed and honored both in Leominster 
and the communities in which they settled. Two sons were 
educated at Harvard College, James G., graduated in 1820, and 
Henry in 1830. Artemas lived in and near Chicago, 111., and 
was active in the support of Antioch College. The only sur- 
viving child is Josiah H. of Boston. Of the daughters only one, 
Catherine, born Sept. 17, 1803, died Feb. 11, 1887, resided, 



BIOGRAPHY BY FAMILIES. \ y I 

after nianiajj,o, in Leominster. She married, Jan. 28, 1824, 
James II. Carter, born in Laneaster, Mass., Feb. 6, 1794, died 
in Leominster, March 13, 1871, l)eing his second wife. Me 
was for many years a prominent business man of the town. 
Of their si.x children two are H\'ini;-, George E. Carter and the 
wife of Howard M. Lane. 

SoLOX Caktkr, son of Capt. James, born in Leominster, 
Sept. 4, 1 80 1, died June 23, 1879. He lived and died on the 
ancestral farm of his father and grandfather. He was, when a 
young man, a successful teacher in the schools of his native 
town, afterwards a useful member of the School Committee for 
many years, representative to the General Court in 1849-50, an 
intelligent and skillful farmer, esteemed and respected in all 
the relations of life. His children were : 

Solon A., born June 22, 1837, educated in the common and 
high schools of the town, resided for a short time in Keene, N. 
H., where he enli.stcd in the army, during the war of the Rebel- 
lion, and entered the service as Captain of Co. G., 14th N. .H 
\'()ls., was afterwards promoted, and has been for several years 
Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire, residing at Concortl. 

William W., whose sketch has already been given in the 
Educational chapter. 

Two daughters, one, the widow of the late Henry T. Thurs- 
ton and the other, the wife of John ]\I. Lockey, of Leominster. 

Addison C. Carter, son of William, also a descendant of 
Josiah, was ])orn in Leominster, June 16, 1832. He taught in 
our Public Schools, and attended Groton Academy. He after- 
wards si)cnt three years in the West. Returning ICast in 1862, 
he spent about six years in Worcester. The last fifteen years 
of his life he was emjiloyed in J. H. Lockey's Piano Factory. 
He died Jan. 21, 1887. He was a faithful, industrious man and 
was respected by all who knew him. 

Barti.mus Carter, son of Joseph Warren, who also dc« 



172 LEOMlNSTfiR, HISTORICAL AKD PICTURESQUE. 

scended from Josiah, was born in Leominster, Dec. 27, 1800, 
and died April 3, 1879. He spent his whole life in Leominster, 
was interested in all that concerned the welfare of the town 
and its inhabitants, had a kindly greeting for all, particularly 
the young. He was a comb-maker in the days when the work 
was mostly done by hand. His surviving children are an un- 
married daughter and Chauncy W. Carter. 

Chauncv W. Carter, son of Bartimus, born in Leominster, 
Nov. 5, 1827, was educated in the public schools of the town, 
and at Wilbraham Academy, studied law in the offices of Joel 
W. Fletcher, Esq., of Leominster, and Bacon & Aldrich of 
Worcester, was admitted to the Bar in June 1857, began the 
practice of law in Gardner, Mass., in August of the same year, 
returning to Leominster five years later. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Board of Assessors and of the Selectmen and was ap- 
pointed Trial Justice in Sept. 1883. . He has two sons, Alfred 
F., born in Gardner, Mass., May 10, 1862, now residing at 
Sherborn, Mass., and Robert L., born in Leominster, March 
30, 1869, studying law in the office of his father. 

The facts relating to this family are taken from the Carter 
Memorial, for the use of which, we are indebted to Mrs. 
Chauncy W. Carter who gave several years to the labor of col- 
lecting material and carefully preparing it for publication in 
that volume. 

THE HILLS. 

The family of Hills was for many years identified almost 
exclusively with the comb business of Leominster, the mem- 
bers of which are referred to in that connection. Mrs. Chas. 
W. Drake, of this town, a memberof the Hills family, is inter- 
ested in preparing a genealogy of the family, which she hopes 
at some future time to publish. 



firOGRAPIlY BY FAMILIES. 1 73 

THE JOSLINS. 

This family is one of the oldest in the history of the town. 
Peter Joslin, a grandson of the ancestor of the family, in 
America, early in the seventeenth century, purchased a large 
tract of land in the north easterly part of the town, (Leomin- 
ster) known as "Joslin Ilill." He was a son of Nathaniel and 
Sarah Joslin, and was born at Lancaster in 1665. He lived to 
the great age of 94 years. His grandfather, Thomas Joslin, 
with his wife, Rebecca and five children, the youngest, Mary, 
but one year old at the time, came to America from England 
in the ship "Increase", in 1635. He took up his abode at 
Hingham for a few years, and thence removed to Watertown, 
where he resided until 1653, when, with his son Nathaniel and 
the other members of the family, he joined with a few others 
and settled in the valley of the "Nashaway," afterwards Lan- 
caster. The records show that Thomas Joslin and Nathaniel 
Joslin signed the first agreement or covenant for a local gov- 
ernment, Sept. 12, 1654. Thomas Joslin died 1660, leaving a 
will recorded at Cambridge. Nathaniel Joslin married Sarah 
King of Marlborough, 1659, and resided at Lancaster until the 
destruction of the settlement by the Indians in 1676, when he 
escaped with his family to Marlborough, where he afterward 
lived and there died, 1694, leaving a will which is on record at 
Cambridge. 

Peter, on attaining his majority, returned to Lancaster and 
occupied the ancestral lands. He married Sarah Howe of 
Marlborough. This wife and three small children were killed 
by the Indians, July 18, 1692, while the husband and father was 
absent from home. His second wife and an infant child suf- 
fered a like fate. As the issue of a fourth marriage there were 
born three sons, one of whom was John, and it is from him 
that the writer's family descends. The order of the genera- 
tions arc, Thomas (i) the Immigrant, Nathaniel (2), Peter (3) 



174 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

John (4), John (5), Elias (6), Elias (7), Charles L. (8). John (4) 
was active in town matters. John (5) was in the Revolutionary 
war when a young man, and became an honored and respected 
citizen. Like his father he was deacon of the church, and for 
some thirty years town treasurer. He was also representa- 
tive to the General Court. 

History in detail shows that the family furnished its quota 
in all the struggles in behalf of civilizati.)n, independence, and 
the preservation of the country's liberties. Mary Joslin, the 
infant of one year when the family came to America, became 
the wife of Roger Sumner, son of the emigrant William Sum- 
ner, who settled in Dorchester. Roger Sumner signed the 
Lancaster covenant, 1659. Sumner and family escaped the 
massacre of 1676, and soon after removed from Lancaster to 
Milton where he afterward lived. His wife survived him several 
years, dying at an advanced age. Roger Sumner was ancestor 
of the late Hon. Charles Sumner. Nathaniel Joslin and Roger 
Sumner were executors of Thomas Joslin's will. From this 
ancestry the Joslin family has become numerous and is scattered 
through many of the states. The writer has had correspond- 
ence with members of the family in eight different states of 
the Union, and all trace their lineage back to Thomas as the 
common ancestor. 

Sir Henry Joslin (Josselyn) who was Deputy Governor of 
Maine under Mason, left no issue. Dr. John Joslin, his brother, 
and author of "New E'ngland's Rarities Discovered," published 
in London, 1672, and "Two Voyages to New England," pub- 
lished 1675, lived and died a bachelor. The claim made by 
some writers that certain branches of the family sprang from 
one or the other of these sources, is not founded in fact. Thos. , 
Joslin who settled in and died at Lancaster, 1660, is the 

founder. 

Major Elias Joslin was born Nov. 10, 1795, and died July 



BIOGKArilV I!V FAMILIES. 1/5 

(I, 1874. lie was a life-long resident of Leominster, and took 
a lively interest in military matters. He was a member of 
Capt. Tenney's company, at the time the requisition was 
made for troops in the war of 1812. He was promoted through 
the different grades until he held a major's commission. He 
married, Nov. 17, 1799, I^lizabeth Stearns, who died Jan. 24, 
1885, Their surviving children are William, the eldest, who 
resides in Illinois, Charles L. in Leominster, and John 1^. in 
New Hampshire, Mary E., married N. G. Thom, and resides 
in Haverhill, James T. is a resident of Hudson, Mass., Martha 
A. (Mrs. W. B. Tisdale) in Leominster, Col. Geo. C. in Boston, 
and Ellen L. who resides in Cambridge, Mass. 

Charles L. Jo.slix, son of Major Elias Joslin. was born in 
Leominster, Jan. 12, 1823, attended the common schools of the 
town, and at the age of 16 was apprenticed to learn the comb- 
makers' trade with Thomas G. and Joseph G. Merriam, who 
carried on business in the old house where Mr. Joslin's grand- 
father and father both lived, and where the town farm buildings 
now stand. 

Having finished his apprenticeship at 21 he remained until 
the death of Mr. Thomas G. Merriam, some two years later, in 
1845, when he came into town, and in compan\- with another 
young man, the late Dana Graham, bought out Mr. Luther 
Longley, and carried on business under the firm ndme of 
(iraham & Joslin, locating in the second small building beyond 
the Welcome blacksmith shop on Central street. Here their 
business increased so rapidly that at the end of two years they 
were obliged to lo(jk for more room with sufficient water power, 
to secure which some thirty-five acres of land with a dwelling 
house thereon was purchased, and the dam which Hows the 
pom! knt)wn as the Union Comb Co. pond was put in. Here 
in 1846-47 Mr. Joslin built a factory. He also commenced 
housekeeping in the dwelling referred to, in which Mrs. Mun- 



176 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ger now lives, on Union St. In their new factory the firm 
carried on business some two years, when Mr. Joslin sold his 
interest to his partner, and engaged in business with his broth- 
er-in-law, Mr. E. G. Adams, building a factory on Union street. 
In 1857 this building was sold to Pollard & Butterick, removed 
to near the hotel and used by them in the clothing business 
until it was destroyed by fire. The firm occupied a portion of 
the Lockey shop, east of and adjoining the Old Colony R. R., 
which was burned and again rebuilt by Mr. Lockey. Mr. 
Adams being in failing health, Mr. Joslin purchased his interest 
and in the spring of 1871 bought of Putnam & Phelps a tract 
of land on which he built the main part of the present A. W. 
Williams factory, and in company with W. L. Palmer and A. 
W. Williams began the manufacture of horn and rubber jewel- 
ry. The firm vvas then Joslin, Palmer and Williams, but after 
about five years Mr. Palmer sold out to the remaining partners 
and the business was conducted by Joslin and Williams until 
1883, when Mr. Joslin disposed of his interest to Mr. Williams 
and retired from active business. Mr. Joslin has been 
a direct-or in the National Bank from the time of its 
organization in 1864, and is at present Vice President 
of the Leominster Savings Bank. He also served the 
town several years on the board of Selectmen, and in 1859 
represented his district in the Legislature. He married, Oct. 
28, 1846, Martha J. Adams, of Townsend. Their children 
are Martha D. who married John T. Brown, for many years in 
the establishment of A. T. Stewart in New York ; Clara A. 
who married J. Wm. Wetherbee of this town ; Mary E., and 
Charles A., the youngest, who married Alice, daughter of Geo. 
F. Morse, and is the present town clerk and treasurer of Leom- 
inster. 

James T. Joslin, (to whom we are indebted for the facts 
relating to the Joslin family), is a reskknt of Hudson, Mass. 



BIOr.RAPIIV IIV FAMILIES. 1/7 

lie made a choice of the legal profession and is now a success- 
ful practitioner in that town. lie has for years been interested 
in securing facts relating to the history of this family, and has 
now a large amount of valuable material which it is his purpose 
at some time to publish. 

Col. George C. Josllw Sketch in the military chapter. 



23 



CHAPTER X. 



)Si ^\ ¥^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL — CONTINUED. 

R. Joel Smith was born in Leomin- 
ster, August 23, 18 1 2, and was, at the 
time of his deatli, just past seventy- 
six years of age. He was a son of 
Joel and Abigail Smith and was one 
of four brothers. The oldest only is 
now living. At an early age he was 
left to the care of an uncle, Mr. James 
Divoll, whose residence was on Prospect street. North Leomin* 
ster. On a farm, located off this street, as it turns towards 
Shirley, Mr. Smith spent his boyhood until his fourteenth year. 
He was educated in the Public Schools of this town. At the 
age of fourteen he went to Wilton, N. H., for the purpose of 
learning the carpenter's trade. His reason for giving up this 
plan may be stated in his own words. " My weight at that 
time was ninety pounds. After eleven months service my 
weight was reduced to eighty pounds. Taking the advice of 
my uncle and elder brother I returned to Leominster and 
served an apprenticeship with Jonas Colburn, for the comb 
business." That this change was a wise one, Mr. Smith's skill 
as a workman and success as a manufacturer of these goods is 
sufficient proof. When his trade was learned, after the man- 



^ 



^ • / 




JOEL SMITH. 



BIOGRAPHICAL — CONTINUED. 1 79 

ner of those times, Mr. Smith worked for some years, as a jour- 
neyman combmaker. In 1S36 he began business for himself in 
company with George \V. Smith and John Xourse. The shop 
where they manufactured combs, stood just south of the spot 
now occupied by the " Leominster House." Some years later 
Mr. Smith was in business with Abel Chase and Oliver Patch, 
in a building which stood on the site of what was afterwards 
the Union Comb Shop, now the Richardson Carriage Co. 's 
Works. When the building was enlarged and the Union Comb 
Co. formed, Mr. Smith became President of the Co., the other 
members being Mr. Stephen Tisdale, John Bates, James Gallup, 
Mr. Smith was President of this company for five years, from 
1867 to 1872. The property was wholly destroyed by fire in 
1872, and after the shop was rebuilt, the company was changed 
and Mr. Smith withdrew. He soon started again for himself 
in a part of the Lockey Piano Shop, which then occupied the 
site of Valpey & Anthony's Shoe P^actory. Here in 1879, Mr. 
H. K. Smith, a son of Isaac Smith, was received into the busi- 
ness with his uncle. The firm was known as Joel Smith and 
Company, and continued business until 1885, when Mr. H. R. 
Smith withdrew. During this time the firm met with a severe 
loss in the fire which wholly destroyed that part of the Lockey 
Piano Shops, which stood south of the railroad. After the fire 
the business was again started in a shop connected with the 
factory of W. D. Karl & Co. Here Mr. Joel Smith continued 
to manufacture horn goods after Mr. H. R. Smith left the firm, 
until he moved (within the present year) to more convenient 
quarters in a part of the comb shop of Mr. A. \V. Williams. 
Here he was doing business with Mr. John Bates at the time 
of his death. 

The circumstances attending the death of Mr. Smith were, 
as follows : As usual Mr. Smith had witnessed the annual pa- 
rade of the Fire Department, in the work and good name of 



l80 LEOMlNST£k, HtSToRlCAL AKD PICTUR ESQtJE. 

which he was greatly interested. He was, so far as known, in 
his usual health. Late in the afternoon he had spent some 
time in conversation with Mr. Gardner Morse as to matters of 
mutual interest and memory. As the early evening was cool, 
Mr. Smith said he would go to his home and get warm before 
it was time for supper in the Town Hall. He was present at 
the supper, and took part in the speaking which followed. Pre- 
vious to the supper, he and Mr. F. A. Whitney had made this 
agreement : That Mr. Whitney should call upon Mr. Smith for 
a speech and upon its delivery should pay a certain sum — to be 
named by Mr. Smith — to the Fire Department. This arrange- 
ment, so pleasantly conceived, had just been as happily com- 
pleted, when Mr. Smith turned to leave the Hall and died 
almost instantly of heart disease. 

Some mention should be made of Mr. Smith's work outside 
of his own private business. He was a man who never thought 
that all his time and energy ought to be consumed for his own 
personal profit. So far as town matters go, Mr, Smith was a 
liberal and public spirited citizen. Of this his whole history is 
ample proof. Nothing which would in his judgment aid the 
town, was foreign to his thought or labor. He served the peo- 
ple well, and was honored by them in many ways. 

Mr. Smith was one of the' original corporate members of 
the Leominster Savings Bank and a member of the Board of 
Trustees from its first organization in 1867, also a member of 
its Investment Committee from 1873 until his death. He was 
appointed a Director of the First National Bank of Leominster, 
Sept. 20, 1875, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his 
former partner, Oliver Patch, and was elected President in 
1884. He was a Director in the Leominster National Bank 
from its organization in July 1884. During the more than 
thirteen years he was Director, (with the exception of the time 
he was absent as a member of the Legislature), he was absent 



blOGRAi»HICAL — CONTINUED. l8l 

from the regular weekly meetings of the board only ten times. 

Mr. Smith often served and honored his town in places of 
jiublic as well as private trust. It must suffice to mention in 
this connection his service in the Legislature in 1882-3. -^^ ^ 
Representative he did faithful and efficient service, honoring 
himself and the office which he held. Any mention of Mr. 
Smith would seem incomplete which did not make prominent 
his connection with the Anti-Slavery Reform and the cause of 
temperance. In those times wlien it cost something to be an 
anti-slavery man, Mr. Smith was such a man. He was a mem- 
ber of the Leominster Anti-Slavery Society, formed in 1838. 
Later he was associated with such men as Dr. Joel S. Bingham, 
Dea. Isaac Cowdrey, Isaac Smith, Jonas Colburn and Oliver 
Patch, in the Leominster branch of "The Anti-Man-Hunting 
League." At the home of Mr. Smith there was always a warm 
welcome for the fugitive slave. The story cannot now be fully 
told, but it should be said that in all the work of those hot and 
eventful years from 1840 to 1861, Mr. Smith bore earnest and 
honorable part. 

Mr. Smith was also an earnest, consistent, and persistent 
friend of temperance. He gave time, money, and effort to the 
cause. Whatever he undertook he did with a will. His whole 
heart was in his work. Leominster has had few more honored 
citizens. 

In 1835 Mr. Smith married Miss Eliza Taylor, who survives 
him. 

[The foregoing sketch from the editorial columns of the 
"Enterprise ' is given here instead of in the business chapter 
on account of the sudden death of Mr. Smith at time of publi- 
cation.] 

Jonas Colburn. (Sketch in Manufacturing Chapter.) 

Dana Graham was born in Leominster, May 9, 1821. He 
was the eldest of a family of twelve children, and was appren- 



l82 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ticed to the comb making trade when sixteen years of age. 
After being associated with Mr. Charles L. Joslin for three 
years he removed, in October, 1850, to Lancaster, Pa., where 
he associated himself with John Shaffner of that city, and the 
comb manufactory at the corner of Market and James streets, 
was built. The firm of Shaffner & Graham was continued 
until 1870, when Mr. Shaffner died. Mr. Graham attended 
to all the details of the large industry until 1881, when he took 
his eldest son, John S., into partnership, the firm of D. Gra- 
ham & Son, continuing until the death of Mr. Graham the 
present year. 

Mr. Graham was a man of excellent business qualifications. 
His ability was recognized in his adopted city. He was elected 
a member of its council for several years and was also chosen 
the first alderman of the ninth ward. In politics he was un- 
wavering in his support of the Republican party. He was 
prominently identified with the Masonic and Odd Fellow fra- 
ternities. He took an active interest in Fire and Building loan 
Association matters. He was President of the Washington 
Fire Company and Treasurer of the Union Building and Loan 
Association from its organization. Mr. Graham was married 
Jan. 19, 1848, to Miss Lucy M. Grant, of Northfield, Vermont, 
who survives him. Ten children blessed this union, five of 
whom are living, three sons and two daughters ; John S., Dana 
H., G. Atlee, Mrs. Lennie E. Herzog, and Miss Emma C, who 
was educated as a nurse in Blockley Hospital, Philadelphia, 
and who faithfully attended her father in his last illness. Mr. 
Graham died April 14th, 1888, and was buried with Masonic 
honors. 

Winters Day Somers was born in Rochester, N. Y., May 
8, 1825. At an early age he removed to Newton, Conn., where 
he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1852 he came to Leomin- 
ster with Herman Botsford, (who returned to Connecticut in 




ONAS COLBURN. 




WINTER D. SOWERS. 




A'/ . ^A\T. 



BIOGRAPHICAL — CONTINUED. 183 

1855); they began the manufacture of Horn l^uttons in Morse- 
ville, in a building which has since been burned. Two years 
later he removed to the Carter shop where Rockwell's mill now 
stands. Here he formed a co-partnership with a Mr. Piatt 
under the firm name of Piatt & Somers. Upon the dissolution 
ul this firm he purchased the shop on Central street where he 
carried on business until the time of his death. 

Mr. Somers conducted a safe and successful business. He 
had the ability to use tools, was his own carpenter, blacksmith 
and general mechanic. He was careful and methodical in do- 
ing business, and prompt to meet his obligations. His death 
was caused by an accident on Monday morning, April 30, 1883, 
one of the saddest accidents that had occurred for years. 
While attempting to unwind a broken belt without stopping 
the power or slackening the speed, a loop of the belt caught 
around his wrist, drawing him up over the shafting, causing 
instant death. 

Mr. Somers was not only a prominent business man but a 
public spirited citizen. He was a member of Wilder Lodge, 
1". and A. M., for about twenty years, and was also connected 
with Jerusalem Commandery of Fitchburg, in whose affairs he 
took a deep interest. In Oct. 1852, previous to removing to 
Leominster, he was married to Miss Phoebe Sherman, who, by 
her sympathy and encouragement did much to help him in his 
business. They had two children, both daughters, one of 
whom is the wife of Henry I-xlgerly and the other is the wife 
of A. S. Paton. 

At the funeral services Wilder Lodge and Jerusalem Com- 
mandery attended in a body, and many places oi business and 
stores were closed as a mark of appreciation and respect. 

HiKAM W. PiTT.s was born Dec. 2, 1S14. The following 
year his father, James Pitts, removed with his family to that 
part of the town of Lancaster, Mass., which is now included in 



184 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

the town of Clinton, and built a grist and saw mill and a small 
cotton factory on the mill privilege now occupied by the Lan- 
caster mill. 

Hiram was employed from the age of eight to eighteen in 
the cotton mill, and the latter part of the time in the grist mill. 
Upon the death of his father he, in connection with his broth- 
ers, ran the cotton mill in the manufacture of satinet warps, 
until 1842, when he sold his interest to his brothers and went 
to Worcester to run a woolen mill. The mill property in Lan- 
caster was soon after sold to E. B. Bigelow, the present Lancas- 
ter mills corporation being formed and succeeding to the owner- 
ship. From Worcester Mr. Pitts went to West Fitchburg, 
taking charge of a mill for Col. Iv^ers Phillips, two years after 
removing to Fitchburg, taking on contract the factory now a 
part of the Pitts mill, then much smaller than at the present 
time. After two years he went to Saquoit, N. Y., and in com- 
pany with Edwin F. Wheeler began to run a mill by contract. 
For several years thereafter he was interested in various manu- 
facturing enterprises in different places. 

In 1849 he entered into a ten years' partnership with Benj. 
Marshall, one of the founders of the long celebrated Black Ball 
line of packet ships between New York and Liverpool, who 
had withdrawn from commerce and engaged in manufacturing. 
The factory was located at Middleboro, Vt. In addition to this 
in 1867 he took into his own hands the factory in Fitchburg, 
removing his family to Leominster, Mass. In 1876 he erected 
a new mill in Fitchburg, now known as the Pitts mill. 

Mr. Pitts married, in 1842, Betsey S. Burditt of Leomin- 
ster, who died in 1843. In 1846 he married Mary A. Merriam 
of Fitchburg. The children are Abby E., B. Marshall, and 
Etta L. B. Marshall Pitts was the efficient assistant of his 
father in the office, and upon his death, Dec. 22, 1881, succeded 
to the business. He was also chosen 9, Director in the Safety 



BIOGRAPniCAL— CONTINUEn. 1 85 

I'^iiul National Bank of Fitchburg, a position his fatiicr held up 
to the time of his decease. 

W'lr.i.iAM DuRAXT was born in Lancaster, Tvlass., 1803 ; 
he came to Leominster in 1840, where he pursued his avocation 
as blacksmith, until within a few years of his death, in 1879. 
He was deeply devoted to the interests of I-'rec Masonry, bein<]^ 
one of the founders and first Master of Wilder Lodge in this 
town. The great moral reforms of the present age found in 
him an earnest advocate, being among the first to enlist in the 
cause of temperance, for which he suffered quite a little perse- 
cution. " Dare to do right," was his motto through life. 

In 1830, he was married to Marina I^rescott, of Groton, 
Mass. Two sons and a daughter reside in Leominster. 

Samuel Gardner Wilder was born in Leominster, June 
20, 183L The family, in 1844, settled in Illinois, then on the 
frontier. From thence the subject of this sketch crossed the 
almost trackless mountains and plains to California in 1852. 
There he was employed by the Adams Express Co., having, as 
an associate tlierein, his future Honolulu fellow citizen, Mr. R. 
W. Laine. 

Mr. Wilder arrived in ILmolulu in the Clipper Ship Wiiite 
Swallow, in the year 1857. The same year he married there 
Miss I-Llizabeth, daughter of Dr. G. P. Ju.Ul, the bridal couple 
making their honeymoon trip in the White Swallow to New 
York. On returning to the Islands Mr. Wilder went into 
sugar planting at Makawano, Maui, but this enterprise was 
brought to an unfortunate termination by the destruction of the 
plantation by fire. Afterwards in comi)an)- with Dr. JiuUI. he 
startetl a plantation at Kuola, ( )ahu, but owing to tlie [joor soil 
this was abandoned. He was next engaged in thj auctioneer 
bushiess with E. V. Adams & Co., and later in the lumber busi- 
ness with Hon. J. I. Dowsett, soon after, buying Mr. Dowsctt's 
interest. This continued one of the leading branches of busi- 
24 



1 86 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTtjRESQUE. 

ness to the last. In nothing, however, was Mr. Wilder so identi- 
fied with the life of his adopted country, as in the remarka- 
ble developme.it of Inter-Island Steam Navigation. The 
flotilla which he gathered together consisted of the steamers, 
Kilauea, Likelike, Mokolii, Lehua, Kinau, and the Kilama Hon. 
After the arrival of the Kinau in 1883, Mr. Wilder formed the 
Wilder Steamship Co., that has since conducted business under 
his presidency. The corporation also acquired the barque J. A. 
King, employing her in the large lumber business of Wilder & 
Co., between Honolulu and Pugent Sound. 

Mr. Wilder's political record, no less than his commercial 
career was marked by his rigorous individuality. 

For his active services in securing the election of King 
Lunalilo, the latter appointed Mr. Wilder to the House of 
Nobles. Upon the death of Lunalilo, Mr. Wilder espoused the 
cause of the late King's rival, David Kalakaua. The present 
King summoned Mr. Wilder to his Cabinet in 1878 in which 
he was Minister of the Interior until August 1880, when he 
retired suddenly at the inception of the Moreno fiasco. He 
had been raised in the meantime to membership of the Privy 
Council of State, continuing a member of the House of Nobles 
also. Mr. Wilder's Administration of the Department of the 
Interior was characterized by a well defined policy of internal 
improvements. Besides the construction of roads and bridges 
and other public conveniences, he initiated and carried out 
the project of a Marine Railway, which was constructed in 
1882. In 188 1 he built the Kohala railroad from Mahukoua to 
Niulii on the Island of Hawaii and in 1884, acquired the Ka- 
huliu Railroad on Maui by purchase. One thousand men 
were furnished employment by Wilder & Co., the Wilder 
Steamship Co., the Railroad, and others of Mr. Wilder's large 
concerns. 

As President of the Leirislature to which he was elected 




HON. SAMUEL GARDNER WILDER. 



BIOGRArillCAL — CONTINUI.D. I 8/ 

last year Mr. Wilder showed the ([ualities of a practieal parlia- 
mentarian, prompt and precise in his rulin<:;s ; combining rare 
tact with energy in the dispatch of business. The King had 
conferred upon Mr. Wilder the distinctions of a Knight Com- 
mander of the Royal Order of Kalakaua, and Grand Officer of 
tiie Royal Order Crown. His death occurred July 28th, 1888, 
after about a month's illness. The funeral was attended by 
the Cabinet Ministers and the Legislative Assembly in a body, 
and by a concourse of people probably more numerous than had 
attended any funeral there except of royal personages. 

Mr. Wilder leaves a widow and three sons, two daughters 
and four grandchildren. His first born son lost his life by an 
accident. His son, (i. W Wilder was married last year and one 
of his daughters is Mrs. C L. Wight of Kohala. The surviv- 
ing brothers are Wm. C. and John K. Wilder. 

Mk. Jacoi! CoLiiLKX was born in Leominster, May 23d, 
1S06. lie learned the comb makers' trade of James H. Carter, 
lie was married April 25, 1831, to Miss H. S})aulding, and in 
1840 went into business for himself, continuing in the same for 
a quarter of a century, until the time of his death which 
occurred July ist, 1865, having spent his whole life in Leomin- 
ster. 

Major Thomas Sidney Bi-:nxi:tt, fourth son of Calvin 
and Hannah Fletcher I^ennett, was born in Leominster, May 
22d, 18 10. He attended school in his native town until he 
was fourteen years of age, when he served an apprenticeship of 
seven years in the horn comb business, with the late John 
Kendall of this town. He was married at the age of t\vcnl\- 
three years to Sarah Newton lioutelle, who, with their two 
daughters, is now living, two sons having died ; seven grand- 
sons survive, in 1837 he removed to I'hiladelphia. but in a 
few months returned to Leominster, where he followed his 
trade until his death, March 9th, 1881. 

"♦Major Bennett," as he was frequt;ntly called, was cnrolletl 



l88 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

in the Leominster Artillery Company before the age of man- 
hood, and received his commission as Major, in the second 
Brigade, in 1838, from Gov. Edward Everett, being honorably 
discharged in 1841, when the Battalion under his command 
was disbanded. His great interest in military affairs continued 
through his life, and during the late war he did all in his power 
to aid and comfort those who were comrades with his only son, 
the late Capt. luigene A. Bennett ; making visits to Washing- 
ton, Poolesville, Md., and other places, while spending a win- 
ter at Annapolis, employed for the soldiers, and also went to 
Antietam battlefield, in company with Rev. Eli Eay and Dea. 
I. Cowdrey, to relieve the needs of Leominster soldiers. 

The poor fugitive from slavery's bonds, was welcomed as a 
guest in his home and many of dusky hue were there enter- 
tained. In 1850 he purchased a pew in the Unitarian Church, 
and was for several years its sexton. No hour was too early or 
too late, for him to faithfully try t(~) attend to his duties. A 
member of the L. F. D., he served as steward and foreman of 
the old "Torrent No. i," devoted and efficient, ever ready to do 
his part when action was needed. At social gatherings, or 
when sickness and death came to his friends and neighbors, 
his kmdly services were often rendered, and when past the 
allotted age of man, after a frugal and temperate life, he was 
called to depart, leaving friends to enjoy the reward of his 
labors, he went in peace to his rest. 

A. M. PoLLEV was born in the town of Shirley, in 18 10. 
He came to Leominster at an early age, and worked for Col. 
Asa Longlev at the shoe business from the age of 14 to 21. 
For a time he engaged in business as a custom shoe maker. 
He was afterwards associated with Lsaac Smith in the firm of 
Policy & Smith, in the manufacture of boots and shoes at 
wholesale until i860. The firm of A. M. Policy & Son was 
formed in 1862, occupying a building near the hotel, since 




JACOB COLBURN. 




A. M POLLEY. 






LUKE WILDER 



HENRY A. WILDER, 



niOGRArillCAL — CONTINUKD. I 89 

burned, afterwards a l^uildiiii^ across the Square whjre Wood's 
block now stands, ani later rcmovin<( to the present location in 
IMonoosnock block. l\Ir. I'olley was an active tcniiK-rance man, 
and an ardent supoorLer of the Anti-Shu'cr)' cause in its dark- 
est days. lie was interested in military matters and was one 
of the early and prominent members of W'ilder Lodge, F. & A. 
M. He died Sept i8, 1880. 

Jami:.s B. Gallup was born in Clayville, a village in the 
town of Foster, Rhode Island, July 28, 1821, and came to 
reside in Leominster about the year 1840. 

He entered the employ of G. & A. Morse and Jonas 
Colburri, working at the trade of comb maker. He afterwards 
went to Northboro, where he formed a copartnership with 
CaKin H. Cook for the manufacture of combs. Subsecjuently 
in that place he engaged in business with Samuel Woodward, 
and on his own account entered into numerous speculations, 
among them being the business of buying and selling wood- 
land, in which he was very successful. Returning to Leomin- 
ster some time previous to the war he engaged in the comb 
business with Philander Woodbury. Afterwards in the same 
business with B. F. Blodgett. After the dissolution of this 
firm in 1867 he became a member of the Union Comb Co. In 
1.S72 the comb factory of this corporation was destroyed by 
fire, after which a new company was organized with Mr. Gallup 
as President, an office held by him until his last sickness. 

At the age of nineteen he married Miss Orissa Wheelock 
of Leominster, and their only son, George B. Gallup, was one 
of the first to enlist from this town, and gave his life as a sac- 
rifice to the cause of the Union. 

His second wife was Dorothea Wheelock. lie married for 
his last wife Sarah I*"., daughter of Jacob Colburn, who survi\-es 
him. 

Mr. ('i.i'lnn v.;v; a succcssful busincss man, but never bought 



IQO LEOMINSTER, HISTORlCx\L AND PICTURESQUE. 

public or political office. He was known among bis acquaint- 
ances as a kindhearted, generous man. He died at bis resi- 
dence on Lancaster St. August 31, 1884. 

1'hilander Woodbury was born in Bolton, Mass., Oct. 2, 
1831. Wben a boy he came to Leominster and learned tbe 
comb makers' trade of Emerson Prescott. He then went to 
Northboro and worked at his trade a few years, and while there 
married. He returned to Leominster in 1859, going into busi- 
ness with Mr. James B. Gallup. Three years later the partner- 
ship was dissolved and he bought out the business of Mr. 
Prescott, carrying it on for two years, when he was again with 
Mr. Gallup for a year, at the end of which time, in 1867, he 
felt obliged to seek a change of climate. He went to Minne- 
sota and engaged in buying and selling lands, but he failed to 
regain his health and died Dec. 13, 1871. 

Luke Wilder was born Sept. 25, 1786, and died June 22, 
1864. He was a blacksmith by trade, as were his father and 
grandfather before him, and in 181 1 he built the dam on 
Mechanic street now owned by John Mather, where for many 
years with trip hammer works he manufactured axes, scythes, 
and other edge tools, sending them abroad, many of them to 
the great west, so that (as Gov. Everett once remarked) "one 
could hardly travel in any direction without finding a Leomin- 
ster axe." 

Henry A. Wilder, son of Luke Wilder, was born Aug. 
6, 1812, and died Dec. 15, 1882. 

Maj. Amos Haws. Li 1795, Benjamin Haws, the grand- 
father of Mr. M. D. Haws, purchased a large tract of land in the 
southwest side of the Nashua river, including the property now 
owned by the family. The next year he moved here from Nor- 
folk County. At that time his son Amos was only two years 
old. The family had, it would seem, a natural aptitude for the 
boot and shoe business. At least four generations, in a direct 




AMOS HAWS. 



blOGRAPIIICAL — CONtlXUED, ' iQt 

line, ha\-c made the manufaeture of these artieles a successful 
calling. But the father of Major Haws was not wholly occu- 
pied with the boot and shoe business. He, also, owned and 
worked a farm. On this farm young Haws was employed until 
lie reached his majority. He then began the manufacture of 
boots and shoes in the shop owned by his father. This shop 
stood nearly opposite the present home of Mr. M. 1). Haws, 
North Leominster. This business he continued until he 
bought the Grist and Saw Mill from the heirs of Israel Nichols, 
in 1830. A few years later he sold the mills to Jonas Kendall 
& Sons, who bought them to get full control of all the water 
power. When there was not water sufficient for both their 
paper mill and the grist mill, the latter was stopped, to allow 
the paper mill to run. The farmers and others were so disap- 
pointed and troubled because they could not get their grain 
made into meal as heretofore, that, knowing Mr. Haws had a 
water power privilege farther down the river upon his own 
land, they made up a subscription, which they presented, to 
encourage him to build a new mill. Upon the receipt of their 
subscription in 1837, he built a saw, grain and flour mill upon 
his land, which required a canal of about 100 rods from the 
main stream. During the nine years while Mr. Haws run this 
mill, the average quantity of grain ground annually was 15,400 
bushels, nearly one-fifth of which was wheat, besides running 
his saws in the mill most of the time during each year. 

In the History of Leominster, by David Wilder, on pages 
123-4-5, we find this statement : "There is one fact connected 
with the erection of the mills, too good to be witlihcUl from 
posterity, viz.: From time immemorial, it has been the custom, 
in this town, whenever the mills, dwelling houses or other 
buildings of individuals shall have been swept away by floods, 
or destroyed by fire, for the inhabitants, generally, to raise 
funds by subscription or otherwise, to enable such inilividuals 



192 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL ANt) PICTURESQUE. 

to rebuild, without the expectation that such funds will ever be 
returned, but I have never known of but one instance of funds 
having been raised in this way to encourage an individual to 
commence a new work. That a handsome sum was raised 
by subscription, and given to Major Haws to encourage him to 
undertake the work in his private capacity. This he did, and 
after improving the mill profitably for a number of years with 
characteristic honesty and honor, he called on all the contribu- 
tors then living, and very unexpectedly to them, refunded to 
each the full amount of his subscription." It may be added to 
the foregoing record, that some of the contributors remarked 
when receiving back their subscriptions, that they wished that 
they had given more, for Major Haws had kept the money for 
them, and now they had it, while if it had been left with them, 
they should have spent it. Mr. Haws believed in the efficiency 
and took a strong interest in the Military arm of the State ard 
Nation. When the call came for State troops, in 18 12, to re- 
port at Boston, he was just recovering from a severe illness. 
But he was very earnest in his desire to go with the Artillery 
Company of which he had lately become a member. His 
father, however, strongly opposed such action on the boy's 
part, and only yielded on the personal assurance of Captain 
Tenney that he would look after him. Then the father took 
the boy in his carriage and started after the company, overtak- 
ino- them at Concord. Then young Haws left the carriage and 
took his place in the ranks and marched to Dorchester Heights. 
When the company was ordered home a, few weeks later, he 
returned with greatly improved health. At a later period he 
was Captain of the Company, and Major of the Battalion of 
Artillery to which the Company belonged. Mr. Haws served 
the tow^i on the board of Overseers of the Poor and on various 
Committees. He had the confidence, to an unusual degree, of 
his fellow citizens ; he was a prompt and efficient man of bus- 



BIOGRAPHICAL — CONTINUED. 193 

iness and no matters of his own, or interests of others com- 
mitted to him, were left until to-morrow, when they coidd and 
ouglit to be cared for at once. Major Haws belonged to the 
sturdy, downright and upright. New I^ngland type of charac- 
ter, which sets its seal uiion the Nation's charter of liberty. 

Cai'I'. Thomas Hills, son of John and Sarah Hills, was 
born in Leominster, April 7th, 1784. He was, for many years, 
a prominent manufacturer of horn combs, conducting the busi- 
ness at his place, located in the Southwesterly part of the town 
familiarly known in those days as "Manchester," but more gen- 
erally known as the "Hill Road." In those days this portion 
of the town, where now no manufacturing whatever is carried 
on was a noted locality for the manufacture of ctunbs, and many 
of our old comb makers ser\ed their ai)i)renticcship with Thos. 
and Charles Hills. 

It seems worthy of mention that for the distance of nearly 
a half mile, in this neighborhood, in a northerly direction from 
his home there were ten or elev^en families, and nearly every 
one bore the name of Hills, and those who did not were in 
some way related to that family. 

I-'or many years he was identified with the military. In 
1811 he was appointed a Sergeant in a company in this town, 
then attached to the 4th Reg., 2d Brig., 7th Div. of the militia 
of Mass. The Regiment, at that time, was commanded by 
Lieut. Col. Israel Nichols of" this town. Later on he was pro- 
moted, respectively, as I-insign, Lieutenant and Captain of the 
company, receiving this latter commission May 31st, 18 16, his 
commission being signed by His E.xcellency Gov. Caleb Sirong. 
He filled this position until his resignation I-'cb. 17th, iSuS. 
In the fall of 1814, during the war of iNiJ. ("apt. Kilbourn's 
company, in which he was at that lime lioliling the position of 
Ensign, was ordered to Fort Warren, in Boston harbor, for gar^ 
rison duty, where they remained for sixty days, 



194 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

He was twice married, first to Dolly, daughter of the late 
Capt. John Buss. In 1836 she died, and March 4th, 1838 he 
was again married to Nancy W. Colburn. He died April 2nd, 
1851, aged nearly 6"] years. His three children, Josephine, 
Thos. A. and Chas. Wm., still survive him. 

Moses D. Richarixsox. In July, 1630, among the Eng- 
lish immigrants who accompanied Gov. Winthrop to America, 
came three brothers named Richardson, who settled in Charles- 
town, Mass. 

One of their descendants, Silas Richardson, who was born 
in Medway, Mass., Jan. 12th, 1762, bought a farm in Leomin- 
ster, and settled here in 1790. Besides carrying on this farm he 
also worked at his trade of wheelright. The house he occupied 
had been a garrison in 1777. In this house his youngest son, 
Moses D. Richardson was born in 1805, and died July 24, 
1888, having spent his entire lifetime of eighty-three years 
under the same roof, except when he attended school in Groton. 
He joined the Baptist Church in 1828, sixty years ago, was its 
clerk from 1835 to i838„and in 1840 was chosen deacon. He 
was also appointed to various services in the Ecclesiastical 
Society. His nature was quiet and unassuming, but he was 
nevertheless, an active member of the church in his younger 
years, and when age, with its increasing feebleness, came upon 
him, he still continued to attend church, longer, perhaps, than 
in the judgment of others would have seemed prudent and 
advisable. He died as he lived, leaving the memory of a good 
life well ended with those who survive him. 

James A. Riciiardscn, elder son of Moses D. and Abby 
W. Richardson, was born at North Leominster, July 19, 1854. 
After leaving the High School he resided at home until 1877, 
when he went to California. During the past ten years he has 
been principally engaged in real estate business in Oregon and 
California. 




MOSES D. RICHARDSON. 



BIOGRAPHICAL — CONTIXUKD. 195 

IJk. Dana 1'. Richardson, younger so;i of Moses D. and 
Abby \V. Richardson, was born at North Leominster, Oct. 14, 
1855. He graduated from the Leominster High School in 
1876, from the Harvard ]\Iedical College in 1882, practiced 
four years in his native town, and in Nov. 1886, removed to 
(iloucestcr. Oct. 18, 1888, he married Fannie L. Benton of 
l-'itchburg, and at present, is successfully practicing at Bay 
\'iew, Gloucester. 

Jacob Augu.^tus Kendall, was born in Ashby, Mass., in 
1827. He learned the painter's trade in Lexington, and came 
to Leominster when about 19 years of age, and started in busi- 
ness for himself. He was a man of unusual activity, indomit- 
able perseverance and pushed ahead to success. 

In business matters he was thoroughly wide awake, and, in 
money matters, especially in dealing with his help, was always 
prompt and reliable. 

Mr. Kendall never held town offices ; he was too busy to 
seek office and when urged to accept it steadily refused. He 
was for twenty-two years a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and a regular attendant at the Orthodox Congregational Church. 
In his home relations Mr. Kendall was peculiarly happy, and 
all his spare hours were gladly given giv'en to his family. He 
died Nov. 13, 1886, at his home on Main street. 

Charles Carti:r was born in Peterboro', N. II., Jan. 25, 
1802, and died in Leominster, March 23, 18S7. He came to 
Leominster, when a young man and engaged in the tailoring 
business, making all the military and band uniforms in this sec- 
tion. Subsec[ucntly he manufactured combs, and was the first 
paper box maker in town. He took a deep interest in military 
affairs and was promoted from Captain to Lieut. Colonel. He 
was also a prominent mason and an active business man. 

Mr. Jairus Litchfikld, was born in Scituate, Mass., on 
Christmas day, 1807, and died in the 8ist year of his age. At 



tg6 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUfe. 

ten years of age, his father's family moved to Leominster. In 
1827, he united with the Orthodox Church, then a struggling 
organization only five years old. Of this church he was a mem- 
ber 61 years. He was a conscientious, upright, straightfor- 
ward man, respected and esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He 
served the town faithfully as Selectman, Assessor and Over- 
seer of the Poor. His wife and two daughters, Mrs. Carter and 
Mrs. Willard survive him. 

John Coolidge was born in Gardner, Mass., but removed 
to Leominster and there spent the rest of his days. He was 
employed in the comb and horn business and other works at 
different times. He died Feb. 3, 1885, the circumstances of 
his death being such as to call forth unusual expressions of 
sympathy. In doing a kind act for a friend and neighbor, 
watching by his bedside during his last illness, he received from 
his heated brow the poison which caused his death. It was a 
kind heart that prompted him to this act of self sacrifice, which 
will not soon be forgotten in the community. 



chapte:r XI 



COMMERCIAL. 




|0 BETTER index of the business activities 
of the town can be found than the two 
banking institutions, one of which fur- 
nishes all the needed monetary accom- 
modation to manufacturers, merchants 
and business men generally, and the 
other accommodating the large number 
of persons who make it a point to save 
some in)rti()n of their earnings to be laid by for a rainy day. 
The First National Bank oe Leominster was organ- 
ized in 1864, with John II. Lockey for its first President, and 
Joel C. Allen, Cashier. Its charter having expired in 1884, by 
limitation. The present bank is its successor. 

l^HE Leominster National Bank, was organized with a 
capital of $150,000. Its officers are: Hamilton Mayo, Presi- 
dent ; A. L. Burditt, Cashier ; Fred J. Lothrop, Teller ; \V. A. 
Putnam, Book-keeper; Directors, Hamilton Mayo, Charles L. 
Joslin, John M. Lockey, F. A. Whitney, George L. Rice, 
Xahum Ilarwood, A. L. Burditt and A. W. Williams. 

1 1 am 11. ton Mavo has held the position of President since 
the Bank was organized in 1S84. lie was born in Westmin- 



198 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ster, Mass., Feb. 26th, 185 i ; son of William and Mary Mayo, 
was graduated from Meriden Academy in 1869, Dartmouth 
College in 1873, and Albany Law School in 1874, at which 
time he was admitted to the bar, and in February of the follow- 
ing year, 1875, opened an ofifice in Leominster. Since that 
time he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession. 
He was appointed Trial Justice in 1883, and still holds that 
office ; he is one of the Trustees and one of the Investment 
Committee of the Leominster Savings Banks. He was for 
several years a member of the School Board, and during the 
latter part of the time was chairman. Nov. 20th, 1878 was 
married to Florence G. Curtis of I^ortland, Maine. 

A, L. BuRDiTT was first identified with the bank in 1865, at 
which time he went in as an assistant to Joel C. Allen, Cashier. 
He was appointed Cashier of the First National Bank in 1870 
and Treasurer of the Savings Bank in 1871, and still holds both 
positions. 

Fred J. Lothrop has held the position of Teller since 
Dec. I, 1885, and VV. A. Putnam that of Book-keeper, since 
May 4, 1882. 

The Leominster Savings Bank was incorported in 1865. 
The three original charter members were John H. Lockey, 
Leonard Burrage and James H. Carter. Mr. Lockey, who was 
then in the State Legislature, being instrumental in securing 
the act of incorporation. The officers of the Bank are : Dwight 
B. Look, President ; Charles L. Joslin, Vice President ; A. L. 
l^urdett. Clerk and Treasurer ; Trustees, C. C. l^oydcn, Ham- 
ilton Mayo, George Woods, F. A. Whitney, Geo. F. Colburn, 
Geo. Hall, J. G. Tenney, Clesson Kenney and D. C. Nickerson. 

DwKiHT B. Look, President, is a native of Conway, Mass., 
where he was born April 19th, 1820. His education was such 
as the common schools of his native town and the neighboring 
village of Shelburn Falls afforded. In 1S36 he left Conway 





GEO. L. RICE. 



A. W. WILLIAMS. 




/- 




GEORGE WOODS. 



C. C. 30YDEN. 



VJI., 




^ 4N^ 




GEORGE HALL. 



JOSEPH G. TENNEY. 




..ESSON KENNEV. 



0. C NICKERSON. 



COMMEKCIAT.. IQQ 

and went to Hatfield and engaged in making corn brooms and 
brushes. In 1840 he returned to Conway and with his brothers 
engaged in the manufacture of horn combs of various kinds. 
In 1847 Mr. Look came to Leominster, and continued to work 
at the same business until 1H54, when he associated himself 
with his two brothers, and William Tilton, under the firm name 
of Look, Tilton & Co., in the manufacture of the same goods. 
In 1856 he went into the Dry Goods and Grocery business 
with J. O. A. Pierce under the firm name of J. O. A. Pierce & 
Co. After two years he returned to the manufacture of horn 
goods associated with W'm. Tilton and J. W. Bates under the 
firm name of Tilton, Look & Co. In 1869 the firm was dis- 
solved, and the business and factory were sold. In 1872 he 
resumed the business with A. G. Derby and Geo. R. Damon, 
under the firm name of Derby, Look & Co. In 1876 Clarence 
Kenney bought out Mr. Derby's interest in the business and it 
was continued under the firm name of Look, Damon & Co. to 
Jan. 1st. 1882. 

Mr. Look takes a great interest in his adopted town. He 
is always ready and willing to do all that he can to promote her 
prosperity. In i88c-i, he was elected to represent the seven- 
teenth Worcester District in the General Court of Massachu- 
setts. 1 le has held various town offices ; three years on the 
Board of Selectmen, three years on the Board of Assessors, 
two years on the Board of Auditors, Collector of Taxes two 
years, now serving his second year as Chairman of the Board 
of the Overseers of the Poor, is a trustee to hold and disburse 
the income of funds left for the relief of the worthy poor of the 
town, was one of the original corporators, and is on the Board 
of Trustees and the President of the Leominster Savings Bank. 
He is a temperance Reiniblican in politics, and Evangelical in 
his religious belief. 

Mr. Look has been twice married. In 1844, he married 



200 LKOMINSTEK, H15T0KICAL AND nCTUKKSQUE. 

Fanny A., dauj;hter of Dr. Washington Hamilton. In 1850 ho 
married Kmily, daughter of Col. Jabez Newhall. both of Con- 
way. They have two ohiUlren. h'rank X. and h\innv II. The 
former was a graduate of Amehrst College, in the elass of 'j";, 
and is now treasurer and manager of the l-dorenee Manuf.iet- 
uring company, Florence. ^lass. The latter completed her 
studies atWellesley and Boston and is engaged in Kindergarten 
work at Florence, Mass. 

CuAKi.KS L. JosLiN. X'icc Tresideut. Sketch, with loslin 

family. 

POST Ol-l-lCF. 

The Post Office at Leominster Centre has been located in 
the Hank Block on Main street since 1874. 

Thomas A. Hills is Postmaster, and his brother, L\ W. 
Hills, Assistant Postmaster. We are unable to give the date 
of the establishment of the otYice. or the names of the first 
postmasters. For several years John Ciardner held the posi- 
tion, and the Post Office was located in the first house west of 
the Dr. Pierce estate on West Street. Daniel Gates succeeded 
him for a short time, then John Kendall, locating the office in 
a building where Wood's Block now stands. It was here in 
1833 that Charles H. Colburn entered upon his long term of 
service. The office was, after a time, removed to the store of 
Henry Allen in the old Allen block. Here, for two years, Mr. 
Colburn was associated with Joel C. Allen in the dry goods 
business, the hrm being Colburn CJt Allen. In 1837 Mr. Col- 
burn removed the office to his house on Main St., where he 
also started in the dry goods business. After a few years he 
put in a stock of patent medicines in the place of dry goods 
and continued in that line of business up to Dec. 1887, when 
he disposed of his stock and discontinued the business. He 
resigned his position as postmaster in 1874, after a> service of 
forty years and nine months. 



COMMERCIAL. 201 

I'rom the date of his birth. Jan. 23, iSoS, Mr. Colburn ha.s 
been a resident of this town, and intimately connected with its 
history. He is the last of a family of five sons and one daugh- 
ter, children of Klisha and Deborah Colburn, who were all 
reared from childhood in the little old house on the corner of 
Central and Lancaster streets. 

Tho.mas a. Hills, the present postmaster, is a son of the 
late Capt. Thomas and Xancy W. Hills, and was born in Leom- 
inster, Sept. 15, 1S40. He received his education in the public 
schools of this town. 

In the winter of 1857 he entered the employ of Abner 
Parker & Co., Cordaville, Mass., proprietors of a country store. 
.Subsequently he was employed in the store of John G. Thurs- 
ton & Co., South Lancaster, Mass., and was residing there at 
the time of his enlistment into the service of the U. S., in the 
autumn of 1862. lie joined Co. C, 53d Mass. Vols, from this 
town, commanded by Capt. Joel A. Stratton. The regiment 
formed a part of "Hanks' E.xpedition," and was assigned to the 
19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf. 

Soon after the muster out of his Regt., in the fall of 1863, 
he entered the employ of Allen & Kimball in this town, remain- 
ing with them until July, 1864, when he again enlisted, this time 
for a period of one hundred days, j(iining Co. E, of Marlborough, 
5th Mass. Vols., in which he servedas Sergt. until the muster 
out of the Regt. in November of the same year. F'or several 
years after he was connected with the State Militia, serving as 
Lieut, in Co. K, loth Regt. In January, 1865, he entered into 
partnership with Christopher Chase, under the firm name of 
Chase & Hills, conducting the dry goods and grocery business 
at the old "Gates" store on Central street. Subsequentlv he 
was in company with A. C). W'l'dcr and later on, conducted the 
grocery business alone at t'.ie s.ime place, remaining there till 
the summer of 1874. 
2ti 



202 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

July I, 1874 he assumed the position of postmaster, suc- 
ceeding Charles H. Colburn, the retiring postmaster. He was 
first appointed by President U. S. Grant, and subsequently by 
Presidents Hayes, Arthur, and Cleveland. 

He has been a member of Chas. H. Stevens Post 53 G. A. 
R. of this town since 1868, during which time he has filled 
various offices, and is now Commander of the Post. 

The North Leominster Post Office was established in 
185 1, at which time W. F. Howe, the present postmaster, was 
appointed. 

Mr. Howe was engaged at that time in the tailoring busi- 
ness, in Baldwin's Block — ^now Fiske Block. He removed to 
the house now standing north of the depot, where, in 1858, he 
started in the store business. Here the office was located until 
1861, at which time he removed his store and the Post Office to 
their present location. On the site of the present store 
(Howe's Block) stood an old store building for a long time kept 
by John Stratton, and later by L. W. Conant. Previous to 1861 
the present building was owned and used by the town as a 
school house, but the Kendall Hall building having been pro- 
vided, it was no longer needed for school purposes, and was 
purchased by Mr. Howe, who moved it to its present location, 
fitting up the lower story for business purposes, the old store 
being moved and utilized as a back store. 

REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE. 

These important interests are represented by J. M. Lockey 
& Co., Real Estate Agents, the firm consisting of J. M. Lockey 
and Hamilton Mayo. The agency of Lockey & Allison, Insur- 
ance, with J. M. Lockey of Leominster, and Henry Allison, of 
Fitchburg as partners, and the Insurance agency of Chauncy 
VV. Carter, Esq. Sketches of H. Mayo and Chauncy W. Car- 
ter are already given. 




W. F. HOWE. 




JOHN M. LOCKEY. 



LOMMEKCIAL. 20^ 

Mr. John M. Lockkv is a native of Roxbury, Mass. He 
was educated in the schools of Leominster, together with two 
\ cars at the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Entering 
the Insurance business in October, 1872, he continued alone in 
tliat business until 1878, when he entered into partnership with 
Mr. Charles B. Dennis, of Fitchburg, under tlie firm name of 
Lockey & Dennis. A year later Mr. Henry Allison of Fitch- 
burg purchased the interest of Mr. Dennis, and the business 
has since continued as Lockey & Allison. Mr. Lockey is also 
a member of the firm of J. M. Lockey & Co., Real Estate and 
Mortgages, office at Leominster. In October, 1887, he was 
chosen Treasurer of the J. H. Lockey Piano Case Co. He has 
been director in the Leominster National Bank since its organ- 
ization in 1884. 

DOCTORS. 

Dr. Charles A. Wheeler was born in Fitchburg Dec. 6, 
1836, graduated from the Fitchburg High School in the class 
of '54; graduated from Worcester Eclectic Medical College in 
'57. He began the practice of medicine in W^est Boylston, Nov. 
'58. He enlisted in the 15th Mass. Regt., Nov. '61 ; was com- 
missioned assistant surgeon in the 12th Mass. Regt. in Dec. 
'62 ; was mustered out with the regiment Jul\' 8th, '64 ; and 
came to Leominster, in August '64, where he still continues in 
])ractice. 

Dr. Henry R. Brown was born in Loudon, N. H., March 
nth, 1841 ; attended the public schools until the age of four- 
teen, then entered Loudon Academy, where he studied to be- 
come a Civil Engineer. Disappointed in obtaining a satisfac- 
tory situation in that i)rofession, he gave it up, and commenced 
the study of medicine in 1862. with Dr. W. .S. Collins. In 
Sept. of that year, he enlisted in Co. G, 15th N. II. \'. He 
ser\'ed eleven months as orderlv Sergeant, and on being dis- 



204 Leominster, historical atcd pictIiresqIjE, 

charged he resumed the study of medicine and graduated in 
March, 1867, at the N. Y. Homceopathic Medical College. The 
same month he commenced practicing in Waterbury, Conn., in 
partnership with Dr. E. C. Knight. He removed to Leomin- 
ster in July, 1869, where, with the exception of two and a half 
years that he was away on account of ill health, he has been 
located ever since. 

Dr. H. p. Hall, was born in Kennebunk, Maine, August 
2d, 1853, and after studying in the college of Physicians and 
Surgeons in New York, graduated from Maine IMedical College 
in 1873, after which he studied in the hospitals of London and 
l^aris, and then returned to Portland, Maine, where he prac- 
ticed for awhile in the office of his preceptor, and finally settled 
in this town in 1876, where he has continued to practice until 
the present time. 

Dr. J. M. Randall, (deceased). Sketch already given. 

Dr. C. E. BKiELOw, was born in Danielsonville, Conn., 
Oct. nth, 1855. He was educated in the public schools of 
Danielsonville, Friends Boarding School and Mowrey & Goff's 
Private School in Providence, R. I., and graduated from 
Brown University, Providence R. I., in 1878, and from Jeffer- 
son, Medical College in 1882. He located in Leominster in 
1882. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 

Dr. P^dward J. Cutter, was graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege in 1877, and, four )'ears later, at Harvard Medical 
School. He served, also, as House Pupil and House Sur- 
geon in the Boston City Hospital, from July, 1880, until 
Jan. 1882, v/hen he was appointed Assistant Resident Physi- 
cian at the State Almshouse at Tewksbury. He resigned 
this position in Nov. 1882, to take the place of Assistant Super- 
intendent and Resident Physician at the Boston City Hospital. 
This place he resigned in Nov. 1884, and came to Leominster, 
where he has since resided. He is now one of the Consulting- 
Staff of the Baldwinville Cottage Hospital. 




DR. C. E. BIGtLOW 



JH. t. J. CUTTth 



COMMERClAf.. 205 

Dr. E. Roscoe Mii.li:r was born Sept. 26, 1859, gradu- 
ated from Nichols Academy, Dudley, Mass., class of '83, and 
from Boston University, School of Medicine in 1887. He 
settled in Leominster, June 8th, 1887. 

Dr Frank IIi:xry Mowe was born in Hill, N. IL, Ai)ril 7, 
1S64. He was educated at New Hampton Institute and Dart-- 
mouth Medical College, also at New York Post Graduate Medi^ 
cal College and Hospital. He settled in Leominster. May '88, 

LAWYERS. 

Chauncv \V. Carter, Esq. Sketch with Carter family. 

Hamilton Mayo, Esq. Sketch as President of the Leom- 
inster National I^ank. 

^VlLLlAM P2. White, son of I. C. and Frances W. White, 
was born at Worcester, Mass., May 26, 1863. He attended the 
public schools of Worcester, including the Worcester High 
School. He worked about a year as clerk in the office of E. 
W. Vaill, manufacturer of patent folding chairs, after which he 
studied for about one year at home, and took a course in book- 
keeping at Hinman's Business College. In the fall of 1882 he 
determined to take up the study of the law. With this end in 
view a year was spent in special study under the direction of 
the late Hon. Geo. F. Verry, and Hon. E. H. Bennett of the 
Boston University Law School. In the fall of 1883 Mr. White 
continued his studies at the Boston University Law School and 
also in the School of Liberal Arts connected with the Univer- 
sity, He was admitted to the Worcester County bar April i, 
1 886, at the age of twenty-three years, entering immediately 
into practice in the city of Worcester, where he remained until 
Nov. I, 1887, when he removed to Leominster. 

DENTISTS. 

Dr. F. E. Nims has been in the practice of his profession 



2o6 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

in Leominster for the past fifteen years. He is a native of 
Rowe, Mass., where he was born, May 31, 1848, received his 
education at the Shelburne Falls Academy and the Pennsylva- 
nia Dental College of Philadelphia. He began practice in 
Shelburne Falls in 1809. In June, 1873, having disposed of his 
business, he came to Leominster and opened an office in Wood's 
block, at the end of about eleven months removing to his pres- 
ent office in F'oster's block, which was then just completed. 

Dr. G. H. Woodbury is a native of Bolton, Mass., born in 
1864, and educated at Waterville Academy, Maine., Leomin- 
ster High School, and Boston Dental College. He succeeded 
the late Dr. L. N. Leslie, in Wood's block. 

Dr. E. a. P2aton was born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1838. 
He attended the public and High schools of that town, and in 
the year 1859 entered the office of Dr. T. Palmer of Fitchburg 
as a student in dentistry, remaing for five years. He began to 
practice in Lawrence, Mass., in 1865, but was ordered by his 
physician to California in 1867, on account of failing health. 
He practiced there for thirteen years, returning to Fitchburg 
in 1880. He located in Leominster in September 18S6. 

DRUGGISTS. 

C. F. Nixon was born in Sterling, Aug. 16, 1857. He re- 
moved to Templeton and afterward, in 1868, to Leominster, 
where he attended school, and later entered the employ of C. 
E. Dresser, diuggist, in F^osters' block. He graduated at the 
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in May, 18S4, having start- 
ed in business in Allen's block in 1879. ^^ is now President 
of the Worcester North Druggists' Association. At the time 
Mr. Ni.xon commenced business he was the youngest druggist 
in town, and had also been the shortest time in business. Ow- 
ing to changes in the proprietorship of the other drug stores 
he is now senior in his line and longest in business. 





M. A. GREENAOOD. 



T. A. HILLS. 




EDWARD PREV EAR, 



A, O, .'. ILDER. 



COMMERCIAL. 20/ 

K. K. Ri'RDETT. This business was cstablishctl when I'os- 
ters' block was built, in 1874, by A. A. Burditt of Clinton, who 
afterwards disposed of the business to C. E. Dresser. In 1881, 
it was purchased by the present proprietor, who had, tor four 
years previous to that time, been in the employ of Mr. Dresser. 

Mr. Burdett is a son of A. L. Burdett, and a native of Leom- 
inster. 

b'RKD P. Porter was born in Lunenburg, Mass. He came 
to Leominster in 1877, and in 1887 purchased the drug business 
of Dr. A. H. French, in Wood's block, after having been in the 
emjiloy of K. K. Burdett for six years. 

Previous to Dr. French, John Dickey, S. A. Whittier, Chas. 
S. Perry, Wheelock & Whittier, and others carried on this 
business. 

WATCHMAKFRS AND JFW1:LLFRS. 

FnwARD Prevear was born in Northampton, Mass., Sept. 
10, 18(7, and educated at Amherst in the public schools and 
Academy. He went as an apprentice to the watch, jewelry, 
and optical business in Amherst in 1834, and succeeded his 
employers Jan. i, 1840, removing his business to Lynn in 
1849, thence to Leominster in 1858. 

The necessity of some simple method for ascertaining 
e.xact time, which is found only by the movements of the sun 
and stars, led him to construct a transit instrument for that 
purpose, for which he received letters patent in 186S. It was 
the study of astronomy for the purpose of computing time, 
under the guidance of professors at Amherst and Harvard Col- 
leges, that led to his appointment by Gov. Claflin, in 1870, as 
Comm.issioner for establishing meridian lines in each county of 
the state of Massachusetts With the efficient help of his son. 
Geo. F. Prevear, he still continues the watch, jewelry, and op- 
tical business at the corner of Main and Mechanic streets. 



208 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

F. W. Osgood removed to Leominster from his native 
place, Salisbury, Mass., in March 1886, locating in the C. H. 
Colburn building on Main street. 

PRINTING. 

The first newspaper printed in town was the "Rural Repos- 
itory," which was started Oct. 22, 1795, and published weekly 
by Charles Prentiss, in a building near where Josiah Pierce now 
lives. The date of its death is not known, certainly, but in June, 
1798, Charles and John Prentiss started the "Political Focus," 
which was devoted to the interests of the Federalists. This 
paper was printed at the same place as the " Rural Repository", 
and must have been as short lived, for in 1800, we have record 
of the advent of the "Telescope", published at the same office 
as the others, by Dr. Daniel Adams, (author of Adams' Arith- 
metic,) and Salmon Wilder. This ceased for want of patron- 
age, Oct. 14, 1802. The "Political Recorder" started in the 
summer of 1809, and was published by Salmon Wilder about 
half a mile west of the meeting house. The last number was 
issued July 19th, 18 10. 

For several years after the failure of his newspaper business. 
Charles Prestiss continued the publication of books, one vol- 
ume of his own. "Essays," in prose and poetry, "The Philoso- 
phy of Love," by the late Rev. Charles Stearns, of Lincoln 
Mass., also a 12 mo. volume of "Dramatic Dialogues," by the 
same author. He also published several miscellaneous volumes 
for himseli and others, and kept a bookstore and bindery. 

Doctor Adams, who was settled here, published several 
pditions of his "Scholars Arithmetic" and his "Understanding 
Reader," two valuable school books, which were afterwards 
enlarged and much improved. The Arithmetic became very 
celebrated, and in 1806-7 Mr. Prentiss purchased the copyright 
and large editions of it were published, In 1828 the author 



COMMERCIAL. 209 

revised it in order to supi)ly the demands of the times, and from 
that time until 1848, large sterotype editions were published of 
the new 12 mo. work, Adams' New Arithmetic. Another 
revision was then made and the "Revised lulition" was, for 
sev'cral years published 1)\- J. \V. Prentiss & Co. 

Vnv several years, prior to 1872, there was no newspaper in 
town. June 3d of that year Mr. F. N. Boutwell commenced the 
publication of the "Leominster Enterprise" having three years 
jirevious to that, established a printing office in town. The 
i:)aper was conducted by Mr. Boutwell, (as stated further on), 
until 1884. H2 worked during the year 1884 on the paper in 
connection with A. G. Morse, to whom the plant was leased 
that year. Jan. i, 1885, the office was purchased by J. D. Mil- 
ler, and since that time the paper has been conducted by Mr. 
Miller as Editor and Proprietor. 

Charles H. Rice, local reporter and business agent of the 
"luiterprise," has been connected with the paper in that capac- 
ity for the past four years. He is a native of Marlboro', Mass. 
He graduated at Monson Academy, having taken a three-years 
course, and for a few years taught in the public schools. He 
was afterwards, for nine years, in a dry goods and grocery 
store. He came to Leominster in 1881, and engaged in news- 
paper work, having been an agent for the Associated Press for 
several years. For fifteen years he has held an auctioneer's 
license, and dealt in real estate and personal jiropertw I'or 
five years he has been one of the police officers of the town. 

For several years previous to i88[,a Job Office was run 
by Charles Smith, later on, by Charles Tenney, who sold out to 
Moses Leger. Mr. Leger continued from 1881 until the fall of 
1883, when he discontinued business and went to Lynn, where 
he is now foreman of a large Job Printing Office. 

There is but one other printing office in town at the jiresent 
time, that of ]^)utwell & Co. 



2iO LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

F. N. BouTWELL is a native of Craftsbury, Orleans County, 
Vermont, where he was born July 30, 1835. His early educa- 
tion was acquired at the district school. At the age of sixteen 
he commenced the apprenticeship of a printer in Amherst, N. 
H., and served three years. He then worked as journeyman 
in Montpelier, Vt., Boston, and Fitchburg, Mass., and Nashua, 
and Milford, N. H., until 1858, when he purchased the "Milford 
Republican," and was the editor and publisher of that papsr 
until 1862, when its publication was suspended on account of 
the war. After this he worked as a journeyman most of the 
time until 1867, when he established a job printing office in 
Milford, N. H., which was purchased the following year by 
Mr. J. M. Blanchard. In May, 1869, he established a printing 
office in Leominster, occupying a room in a building on the 
site which is now occupied by the Leominster Hotel. In 1871, 
the office was moved to a room in Wood's Block. June 3, 1872, 
he commenced the publication of the "Leominster Enterprise". 
In 1874 the office was moved to Fosters' Block, and in 1879 to 
Morse's Block on Water street, where he continued as editor 
and proprietor until Jan. 1884, when the business was leased, 
for one year, to A. G. Morse, and on Jan. i, 1885, it was sold 
to J. D. Miller. In 1886 he established a second book and job 
printing office on Water street, where the business is still car- 
ried on. 

In 1857 he married Miss Abby L. Melendy, of Amherst, 
N. H., who died in 1855. They had one child, a daughter, 
who is now connected with him in business. 

In 1854 he became a member of the M. E. Church, in which 
he has held important official relations for many years. After 
the close of the war he received a local preacher's license, and 
went to Charlestown, S. C, and spent several months in teach- 
ing the Freedmen. In 1869 he returned to Fitchburg, where 
he married Miss S. Elizabeth Willard, of Ashburnham, and 
shortly afterward removed to this town. 




IP' X 




GEORGE H. WHEELOCK. 





M. ROBBINS. 



COMMERCIAL. 21 1 

Thk Leominster Book liiNOERV, was established about 
1876, by Z. S. Phelps, proprietor He is a native of Fitchburg, 
and for thirteen years he was employed in the bindery connected 
with the old and well known Book-store of Stephen Shepley. 
He started in business for himself on the corner of Laurel and 
Main street, and soon after removed to Leominster. 

The News Stand, Allen C. Ilosmer, proprietor. This 
business was first established by A. J. Parker, in an old build- 
ing where Wood's block now stands. The business was after- 
wards carried on by a Mr. Simonds, and I'Ldward Sawyer. In 
1875, Lugcne Damon established the P. O. News Room which 
was afterwards carried on by Edward Sawyer, Charles I'l. 
Smith, E. M. Harrington and Henry G. Edgerly who sold out 
to "Sir. Hosmer and the stand was removed to its present loca- 
tion when the Post Office was enlarged. 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 

L. A. KicMARDsox is the oldest established photographer 
in town. His father and two brothers also followed the same 
business. Mr. Richardson is a native of Leominster, born Oct. 
17, 1840. At the age of 17 choosing Photography as a busi- 
ness, he started out and for nine years travelled, as was the 
custom in those days, from place to j^lace, locating afterwards 
in a permanent studio in Boston. Three years later he re- 
moved to Ashland, Mass., and after the expiration of 'another 
three years came to Leominster, where, after the first few 
months, he located in the rooms he now occupies. This is his 
thirtieth year in the business, fifteen of which have been spent 
in this town. 

Ei^MOND Ci. Davis, although not now classing himself with 
the Piiotographers, has been the greater part of his life in the 
business. Although born in Lowell in 1847, he has been a res- 
ident of this town for the past 35 years, and is a lineal descend- 



212 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ent of Gershom and Tamah Houghton, the first settlers of the 
town. He first established himself in the photograph business 
in a travelling car on the old training field ; changing in 1874, 
to rooms in Allen's Block, corner of Pleasant and Pearl streets, 
where he was located for several years. Later he engaged with 
liis father in the upholstering and furniture repairing business 
in Morse's Block, where he is at present located, continuing 
however in landscape photography as a pastime. 

Mr. Davis has always taken an active personal interest in 
juiblic matters, particularly in improving and beautifying the 
town, and has done efficient service as Curator of the Museum. 

Among those who were p hotographers in former years 
may be mentioned William T. Allen, Oren Buck, Charles 
Pierce, and I. A. Collins. 

The Worcester Studio located here Sept. i, 1888. The 
proprietors are John Kivlan, a native of Princeton, Mass., and 
H. F- Donovan, who is a native of Brighton, England. He has 
worked in Toronto. Canada, Buffalo, N. Y., Boston and Wor- 
cester, previous to coming to Leominster. 

SURVEYOR. 

JoNWs W. Gates is a native of Worcester, Mass., received 
his education in the Leomins!:er Public Schools, and engaged in 
Civil Engineering in 1865, in which business he has continued 
to the present time. 

Ux^DERTAKER. 

Charles H. Riciiard.sox has been for several years a 
furnishing undertaker in this town. He was born in Leomin- 
ster, on the old homestead, Sept. 3, 1840. During the early 
years of his life, he was most of the time with his father, Silas 
Richardson, who was for so many years the village sexton, be- 
ing associated with him during the last of his life, and succeed- 
ing to the position previous to his father's death. Mr. Rich- 





L A. RICHARDSON. 



DR. F. E. NIMS. 




C. H. RICHARDSON. 




COMMKRCIAL. 213 

arclson has been localed at his present resiilenee and place of 
l)iisiness lor the past seventeen years. 

DRV GOODS, ETC. 

The Dry (loods business of D. C. Nickerson was estab- 
lished in 1874, by Loring Sears, who sold out to Mr. Nickerson 
in May, 1874. In i88d, the store was enlarged and remodelled. 
.Mr. Nickerson is a native of Harwich where he was born Jan. 
21,1848. He received his education in l^oston, and learned 
the Dry Go(k1s business of N. H. Skinner & Co,, in Taunton, 
Mass. He is a prominent business man and a Trustee in the 
Leominster Savings Bank. 

O. A. T.VFT was born in Uxbridge, Mass., Jan. 17, 1850, 
but moved to Douglas when quite young. He attended .Scho- 
field's Commercial College, in Providence. He was a clerk in 
country stores and in 1869, went into the employ of Jkyant & 
Wiley, afterwards Solon Bryant & Co., wholesale dealers in 
Notions and Fancy Goods, in Worcester, Mass., having an in- 
terest in the firm. After some time he went into partnership 
with K. A. Merrill in the wholesale and retail toy business. In 
1880, owing to poor health, he sold out his interest, came to 
Leominster, and purchased the Dry Goods business of I). I. 
Harthan, in Wood's Block, removing, in 1884, to his present 
location in Hotel Block. 

L. I*". Bui^R.\Gi: is a native of Leominster, where he was 
born Now 2, 1853. He was the successor of T. H. Grimes, 
who established the business several years before in Union block, 
liefore engaging in the Dry Goods trade he was interested in 
the Horn Business in the firm of Wheelock & Burrage. 

Mrs. Ell.v M. Wilder has been engaged in the Ladies 
i-'urnishing goods business, in Woods' lilock since the Summer 
(^f 1 886. (Sketch in Educational Chapter.) 

R. B. An'Mkhws was born in Conway, N H., .\pri! 16, 



214 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

1855. He worked in a country variety store and was after- 
wards engaged in the Paper Hanging and Grocery business in 
Fitchburg, removing to Leominster in [1877, buying out G. E. 
Litchfield & Co., in the Hotel Block, removing to his present 
location in 1883. 

D. H. Wheelock's Variety Store. Mr. Wheelock has been 
engaged in trade most of the time for fifteen years or more, 
and was a manufacturer of horn goods prior to that time. 

W. C. Knowlton bought out the Variety Store of F. B. 
Frye, in the Hotel Block in the spring of the present year, and 
in October removed to his present location in Bassett's new 
block. 

Miss, M. E. Chamberlain, in North Leominster, has also 
bee.i engaged in the fancy goods business in Chute's Block for 
the past two or three years. 

MH^LINERY GOODS. 

Mrs, M. E. Bowen has been engaged in the millinery bus- 
iness on the corner of Main and Merriam street for the past 
twenty years. The business was carried on for thirty years 
previous to that in the same building by Mrs. S. S. Woodbury, 
an aunt of Mrs. Bowen. 

Mrs, L. W. Joy started in business twenty-five years ago 
in the rooms now occupied by Mrs. M. N. Straw, in Union 
Block, continuing for nine years, when she removed to Fitch- 
burg, In March 1885. she returned to Leominster, and opened 
millinery rooms in Hotel Block. 

Mrs. L. J. MuNSiE started in the rooms she now occupies, 
in Wood's Block, in 1875. For five years she was out of busi- 
ness, but eight years ago opened rooms in Union Block, mov- 
ing to Wood's Block in 1886, 

Mrs. M. N. Straw bought out the Millinery business of 
George W. Gates, September 1886, in No. 3 Monument Square. 





JOHN KIVLAN. 



■,po. -O'.;0VAN 




MARTIN F. FOSTER. 



lUuH M. FOSTlK. 



tOMMERC'lAL. 215 

She has since carried on the business. She was in the same 
business nine years at Franklin, N. II. 

CLOTHING. 

SiiAi'i.EV Br()THi:rs have been longest established in the 
clothing trade. The firm, consisting of G. H. and C. M. Shap- 
ley, located in Monoosnock block, October i, 1872, removing 
to Cook's Block, July ist, 1874. They removed to their present 
location at 11 Monument Square, Dec. i, 1880. 

J. H. Sperl, Merchant Tailor, located here Aug. i, 1874. 
He is a native of Munich, Bavaria, and came to this country in 
Sept. 1866, residing in Baltimore and afterwards in Philadel- 
phia, New York and Boston, removing to Worcester in the 
spring of 1870, where he remained until he came to Leomin- 
ster. 

L F. GoRH.VM is a native of Welfleet, Mass. He came to 
Leominster in 1876, and engaged in the clothing business in 
Allen's Block, removing, two years later to his present location 
in Wood's Block. 

W. H. Upiiam worked in Manchester, N. H., in the cloth- 
ing trade, for four years previous to coming to Leominster in 
April, 1866. He is a native of Amherst, N. H. 

RETAIL BOOT AND SHOE BUSINESS. 

This business is carried on by V. W. Policy, M. A. Green- 
wood, George M. Powers, and by several others in connection 
with other business. 

A. M. Poi.LEY & Son. This business was established in 
184S, by A. .M. Policy, who afterwards associated with him !•'. 
W. Policy, his son, who had grown up with him in the busi- 
ness, and who has since succeeded to the entire proprietorship, 
but retaining the firm name. Sketches of A. M. Policy in 
the Biographical Chapter, and V. W. PoUey in the Military 
Chapter. 



2l6 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

M. A. Greenwood started in business at his present loca- 
tion, 5 Union Block, Nov. i, 1871. Mr. Greenwood is a native 
of Hubbardston, Mass., where he was born Dec. 22, 1839. ^^ 
remained on a farm until he was 22 years of age, when he went 
to Worcester and was successively employed by W. D. Hol- 
brook, flour and grain dealer, Dwinnell & Taft, retail grocers, 
and in the wholesale house of L. M. Leonard. 

He enlisted in Co. G, 42d Mass. Regt., and at the expira- 
tion of his term of service, went to Hubbardston and was in a 
.grain store until the spring of 1871, when he came to Leomin- 
ster, and worked for A. O. Wilder, until he began business for 
himself. Mr. Greenwood was elected Representative from the 
14th Worcester district in 1887, serving on the committee on 
claims, and in 1888 on the committee on towns. 

Geo. M. Powers is a native of Leominster, born Sept. 9, 
[846, educated in the schools of Leominster and at the Bridg- 
water State Normal School. H e spent six years in teaching, 
two years in Shirley Village, one year in Saybrook, Conn., one 
year in Grotonand two years in West Brookfield. He returned 
to Leominster and purchased of Solon Perry, the corner store 
where he is at present located. Mr. Perry was the successor 
of Robert Glover who bought out Foster Brothers, the original 
proprietors. 

HARDWARE— STOVES— PLUMBING. 

The hardware business is at present carried on by Amos B. 
Merrill in Wood's IMock, and Sawtelle & Estabrook, in Cook's 
Block. 

Amos B. Merrill was born in Derry, Mass., Jan. 5, 1847, 
on the old family estate which has been kept in the Merrill 
name since 17^), and which is now in his possession. Mr. 
Merrill lived in Atkinson, Mass., and Haverhill until 1879, 
when he came to Leominster and started in his present bus- 
iness. 





AMOS 8. MERRILL. 



CHARLES F. NIXON. 




-*N 






Dr. DANIEL FARRAR. 



CHARLES WILD. 





H. F. SAWTELLE. 



J. W. ESTABROOK. 




E. F. PIERCE. 



H. E. BURRAGE. 



COMMEKCIAL. 21/ 

S.\\vn:rj,r': & Esiaur ):):•: started in 1888. Mr. Savvtelle 
had previously bccti ill the employ of Mr. Merrill, residing in 
Leominster the past five years. He is a native of I^Dlton, Mass. 
and received his com'Ticrcial educitioa in Toughkeepsie, N. V . 
Mr. Estabrook was b;)rn in Princeton, lived in Sterlin;; and 
Marlboro', and was employed at the F. A. Whitney Carria^je 
Co.'s works about ten years, and was with Mr. Merrill about a 
year previous to starting in his present business. 

R.MLKY & RuRRAGE, Stovc Dcalcrs, etc. This business was 
established as far back as 1870, by Mr. Knapp. He is a native 
of Mason, \. II., where he was born June 25, 18 19. He came 
to Leominster in 184.0, and served his apprenticeship with 
Benjamin Merriman, in the tin and stove business, and con- 
tinued with Mr. H. S. Nichols, Mr. Merrimm's successor, after- 
wards Nichols & Elliott, anl s)m2 years with Mr. l*'.lliott alone, 
and for some time with George S. Jon^s and a Mr. Atherton. 
In 1870 Mr. Knapp bought out Wm. Fish and started in the 
rear of A. O. Wilder's store, removing afterwards to the corner 
of Water and Mechanic street, and then to Monument Square. 
Mr. Knapp worked for every man but one who carried on the 
business from 184010 1870. Jan. ist, 1885 Mr. Knapp retired 
from active business, disposing of his business to J. J. Railcy and 
H, E. Burrage, who formed the present co-partnership. Mr. 
Railey is a native of Boston, a carpenter by trade. He served 
during the war as a i)rivate in Berdan's 2d Regt. U. S. Sharp- 
shooters. In 1873 he came to Leominster, and worked at his 
trade until 1878, when he entered into partnership with A 
Draffin, in the firm of Railey & Draffia, Slate Roofers, in 
which he continued until 1885, when he sold his interest and 
bought in with Mr. Burrage. Mr. Burrage is a native of Wor- 
cester, removed to Leominster in i860, and worked on a farm 
and at cabinet making until 1869, when he served an appren- 
ticeship as a tin smith with W. T. Fish, in which business hq 

2>i 



il8 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

has continued to the present time. He is a skilled workman. 
T. E. Kendall, Stoves, Tinware and Plumbing. Mr. 
Kendall started the business in his present location in 1879. 
He was born in Leominster, Oct. 31, 1829. He learned his 
trade in Waltham. He was engaged in rail-roading for three 
years previous to the war. He served in the 59th Indiana 
Regt., and after the close of the war worked in Boston and 
Providence, until he returned to Leominster. 

STEAM AND GAS FITTER. 

The business of Steam and Gas P'itting and Plumbing was 
established here Nov. i, 1878, by Mr. John B. Farnsvvorth, who 
occupied the upper story of the building now occupied by Rai- 
ley & Burrage. Mr. Farnsworth was born . Aug. 6, 1833 in 
Ware, Mass, and at the age of two years his parents moved to 
Athol. At the age of 18 he left the farm and entered the 
employ of Seth Twitchell, building mover, in Fitchburg. He 
worked at his present business for Levi Stevens, J. W. Allen 
& Co., H. R. Barker, and A. W. Hubbard. After leaving J. 
W. Allen & Co.'s, he was, for several months, employed by the 
Springfield Gas Machine Co., setting up their machines in 
Connecticut and Long Island. Later on he worked for H. J. 
Kimball and Parks & Carpenter, both in Fitchburg and Leom- 
inster, until he commenced business for himself. Having be- 
come established here he began to do work for Clinton parties, 
and in 1883 started a branch there, which is conducted there 
by Wm. H. Walker, of Leominster. Mr. Farnsworth employs, 
on an average, about ten men in both places. He was the first 
man in this section to introduce hot water heating eight years 
ago, and is doing a good business in that line. In the manage- 
m.ent of his Leominster business he has the assistance of his 
son, Frank S. Farnsvvorth. His place of business is located 
opposite the Old Colony passenger Depot. 



COMMERCIAL. $19 

GROCl'.RS AND PROVISION DEALERS. 

The A. L. Williams & Co., corner store, was built by J. U. 
A. Pierce, who sold it to Goss & Harthan, grocers. It has 
been occupied for the grocery business by George Lawrence 
& Co., Kendall & Lawrence lirothers, Jones & Lehy, Lehy & 
Goss, G. B. & M. F. Lehy, P^oster Bros. & Kenney, Oscar C. 
Marsh, and the present firm, A. L. Williams & Co. Mr. 
Williams was previously engaged in business here in the firm of 
Parmenter & Williams, but sold out and returned to P'itchburg. 
In Nov. 1886 he bought out Oscar C. Marsh, and continues the 
business at the corner store under the firm name of A. L. Wil- 
liams & Co. 

W. K. RiciiAROsoN. This business was started, when 
Allen's Block was built, by P^dmund T. Packard, who afterward 
associated with him, Mr. L. V. Burrage, the firm being Pack- 
ard & Co. In June, 1879, W. C. Richardson & Co. bought the 
business. In Sept. 1882, the firm dissolved and the junior 
partner, W. K. Richardson, took the business. Mr. Richard- 
son is a native of Leominster and has always been in the gro. 
eery business. 

L. W. Cox.vxT has been located in Baldwin lilock. North 
Leominster, since 1861. It is not known when the original 
l)art of this block was built, but it was a little, old, country 
store within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, in the days 
when the sale of wet groceries formed a not inconsiderable 
item in the business. The original building was moved a little 
to the north, a story added, and the long part built in 1844. 
Those who kept the store previous to Mr. Conant, were Farns- 
worth & Wilder, who bought out J. (J. A. Pierce, Mr. Pierce 
bought out Joseph li Brigham. David Ware, Bezaleel Law- 
rence and others carried on the business previous to that. 

A. (). Wii.DKR came to Leominster in 1866, and since that 
time, with the exception of about eighteen months, when D. P. 



526 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTtJRESQtJfe. 

Waite carried on the business, has been engaged in the general 
merchandise business. Mr. Wilder is a native of Wendell, 
Franklin County, where he was born August 4, 1833. At the 
age of five he went to Sterling to live, where he was employed in 
1856-7 by J. S. Butterick. He afterwards lived for a time in 
Lancaster. His first business connection in Leominster was 
under the firm of Wilder, Kidder & Co., Mr. Kidder hein;;- a 
tailor by trade. He was associated for four years with T. A. 
Hills in the hrm of Wilder & Hills. Mr. Wilder has served 
the town in various offices ; as .Selectman in 1876-7-8, and as 
Assessor in 1883-4-5-6. 

BoswoRTii & Brush. The retail grain and grocery busi- 
ness of this firm was established by Geo. E. Carter, who con- 
ceived the idea of a grain store. Previous to that time grain 
had been sold only at the mill. He started the business, to- 
gether with G. W. Sheldon, the firm being Carter & Sheldon, 
selling out in about two years and a half to Thomas Harris 
and Frank Cozzens ; Cozzens & Harris selling out to Joseph 
Cozzens in about two years, the latter in turn disposing of the 
business to Bosworth & Brush, the firm consisting of M. H, 
Bosworth and I. B. Brush. Mr. Bosworth is a native of West 
Springfield, and Mr. Brush of North Stockholm, St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y. The firm rented the store in i88r, and in 1886 
acquired it by purchase. They have, also, operated a grist mill 
in connection with their other business. 

O. A. B.vlch's grain mill has not been run for the past 
eight months. The mill was built in 1872, by W. F. Howe, and 
run by him until about three years ago. 

E. C. Williams, Water street, started in the wholesale 
and retail butter business in May, 1884, and in his present gro- 
cery business at the commencement of the present year. He 
was one year with Mr. C. E. Hudson in the Apple Barer busi- 
ness. He is a native of Rochester, Vermont. 




C. H. COLBURN. 



CEPHAS DERBY. 




J. Q. CONANT. 



L. W. CONANT 



CoMmkrcIaL. 22 1 

CoNAN't & I\ioRsi:. The business of this firm was estab- 
lished by Stnitton & Carter; Ilallett & Wood carrying it on 
previous to its purchase liy Mr. C'onant in April, 1.S79. The 
present firm consists of J. (). A. Conant and ('lenient K. Morse. 
Mr. ("onant is a nati\-e of New Ipswii'li, N. II., where hi' was 
born Apiil i ^^, \^}^. lie li\ed (i>v ;i time in lanienbuiL;'! loral^ 
ini^^ here in 1.S57. Mr. Morse is a nati\e of Hoston. Tin' 
part neiship was formeil March i, iSSS. 

I). A. W ir.PKR started in the business in .Allen's Hloek, in 
1.S.S4, buying out Wilder & Osborn, who were, for many years 
engaged in the business. Prior to that time, the business was 
conducted by Albert Clark, I"' rank Sheldon, Charles Fletcher, 
Joseph S. Darling, Curtis & Hastings, and Capt. Abel Bowers. 
Jk^fore Capt. liowers' time it was not uncommon for farmers 
and others to go around disposing of meat usually selling by 
the cpiantity, either "f(Kes or hinds", as the cpiarters were des- 
ignated. 

Wm. R. Divoll, North Leominster market. The building 
occupied by Mr. Divoll, was built by W. F. Howe, who let it 
to Capt. Leonard Wood, for seven or eight years. The busi- 
ness was afterwards carried on by .Smith & Wilder and Frank 
H. Holden, for a number of years, and then sold to Fred Divoll 
and after his death it was taken by his brother, the present 
proprietor. 

Cii\>. r. Wii,I)i:k has been engaged in the provision bus- 
iness for se\eral years, lie is a native of Leominster, and a 
son of r. 15. Wilder. 

IIknkv D. LrsK opened a meat market in Paton's Block, 
Oct. 1st of the present year. He is a native of Goshen, Orange 
Co., X. V. He was a resident for thirty years, and lived in 
Gardner seventeen years, returning to Leominster as stated. 



22 2 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AKD PICTURESQUE. 

W. H. P'aikbanks & Co., of Clinton, started a branch 
n:arket here about a year since in charge of Mr. John Mudgett. 

Thomas Ordung has kept a fish market here for the past 
seven years. He is a native of Sparneck, Germany. 

MARKET GARDENING. 

Geo. M. Kendall began the business of raising vegetables 
for market, in 1878, commencing the first years by raising an 
out door crop and doing a small business. Since that time he 
has built extensive greenhouses and given his attention to 
special crops, raised under glass, until at the present time his 
business is largely that of raising cucumbers. Last season his 
crop reached upwards of 600 bushels. He has just completed 
a new greenhouse, i 50 feet long which he hopes will increase 
the capacity for production one third. Mr. Kendall has now 
one of the best set of greenhouses in the State for the raising 
of that particular crop. 

Alden Derbv has also given his attention to market gard- 
ening, doing an extensive business in that direction. His farm 
is on the line of the Fitchburg railroad. 

BAKERS. 

In i860 D. P. Lord established the first bakery in town, 
but was soon after succeeded by Luther Longley, who contin- 
ued for nearly four years. The business was then conducted 
by H. B. Whitney for about six years. Several others have 
been engaged in the bakery business at different times. 

H. P. Bassett started in business on his own responsibility 
in 1867, in a building which stood in the rear of the present 
new bakery, recently erected on Central street. Mr. Bassett 
moved into his new building in October of the present year. 

B. F. Owens' bakery was established in May, 1886, on 
Water street, in the building formerly occupied by Hamilton 
Brown, which was remodelled and enlarged for that purpose. 



COMMERCIAL. 223 

FURNITURE. 

K. F. Fierce is a native of Arlington, Mass. He first 
came to Leominster in 1N59, entering the employ of H. Wil- 
lard & Co., in the manufaeture of ehamber furniture. Me was 
afterwarils in the employ of PL M. Lane, Tenney & Lockey 
ant! Allen & Jcwett, in the manufacture of Fiano I-'orte Cases, 
removing to Greenville, N. II., he entered the emplov of James 
L. Chamberlin, Manufacturer of Chamber I*"urniture, as clerk. 
In 1877 he associated with C. H. Goulding in the retail furni- 
ture business in Feabody, under the firm name of E. F. Fierce 
& Co. In 1.S80 he sold his interest to his partner, and started 
the same business in Marblehead, coming to Leominster in 
i8<S5, and purchasing his present business of George A. 'Bishop 

& Co. 

HAIR DRESSERS. 

The first regular Barber shoj) was opened at the old Hotel 
some thirty years ago, by a colored barber, named Williams, 
After a time he sold out to J. Wallace Lines, who removed to 
Allen's block when it was first built, remaining there as long 
as he lived. After h's death, it was carried on by the E.xccu- 
tors, until it was sold out to Charles Wild, who in turn sold out 
in August of the present year to George E. Bearce. The other 
barbers, at the center are : A. Charron, H. O. Winn, M. L. 
Miller, Henry Bode and W. H. Flilchcock at North Leominster. 

In may not be out of place in this connection, to allude 
briefly t(j some facts in the life of J. Wallace Lines. Born 
(hu'ing the last half century of American Slavery, his early lite 
alone furnished abundant material for a romance, and his later 
years were not less e\entful. Some of the facts as related to 
the writer, recently, by the late Joel Smith, the intimate friend 
of Mr. Lines, are here given. In the light of subsequent events 
the subject of this sketch was, without a shadow of reasonable 
doubt, a vietim of circumstantial evidence. He came to Leom- 



224 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

idster under a cloud. After being here some time he was 
arrested and taken to the town in New York State, where he 
had previously lived, was tried, convicted and sentenced on the 
charge of an attempt to set fire to the building in which his 
shop had been located. The people of Leominster believed in 
his innocence and showed their confidence in a substantial 
manner. Mr. Smith was delegated to look up his antecedents, 
to visit him, to be present at court and to render all the assist- 
ance in his power. The main facts brought out at the trial 
were that on a carpenter's bench in Mr. Line's back shop 
were found pieces of wood identical with those used in the con- 
struction of the fire box which was intended for the destruction 
of the building. The fact that Mr. Lines' neighbors in the 
block had free access to this room, and often used his carpen- 
ter's tools, had little weight with the jury, who rendered a ver- 
dict of guilty. He chose not to appeal his case, and served his 
sentence, although asserting his entire innocence. Afterwards 
he returned to Leominster, where he had the respect and con- 
fidence of the community during the rest of his life. He died 
suddenly of heart disease in 1876. His companion, a capable 
and accomplished lady, survived him but a short time, dying in 
the same manner. Among other bequests Mr. Lines left $100 
towards erecting a fence around the Soldiers Monument. 

Charles Wild, the successor of Mr. Lines, was born in 
New York City, Jan. 14, 1855, and has followed the business of 
Hair Dresser since leaving school. 

Geo. E. Bearce, the successor of Mr. Wild, is a native of 
Maine, and has worked in Leominster some time, and was in 
the employ of Mr. Wild, previous to buying the business. 

COAL DEALERS. 

The Coal Business of Leominster has been carried on in 
years past by Luther Longley, Oliver Patch, Curtis & Patch and 
Henry Stearns. In 1872, Mr. Stearns sold out to James Had- 





W. F. LAWRENCE. 



C. H. PROCTOR. 





B. MARSHALL PITTS. 



COMMKRCIAL. 225 

ley, who continued in the business until the spring of 1886. 

\V. F. Lawrence & Co. In April 1886, \V. V. Lawrence 
engaged in the coal business alone, and in August of the same 
year, Mr. C. H. Proctor, of Fitchburg, became associated with 
him in the firm of W. V. Lawrence & Co. Mr. Lawrence is a 
native of this town, where he was born June 25, 1852. He 
worked two years for Fmery Tilton in the grocery business, 
and for F. B. Macy in the Dry Goods business in Fitchburg, 
two years. For si.x years he was engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness in the firm of Kendall & Lawrence Brothers, and after- 
wards for si.x years in the coal of^ce of James Hadley. until he 
started in the business for himself, 

Mr. Proctor was born in Fitchburg. He was for several 
years in the clothing business with James W. Lev^erett, and his 
successor, E. P. Kittredge in the store now occupied by F. M. 
Read, in what is now Proctor's Block, Main street. He was 
afterwards, for some time, with his brother, George B. Proctor, 
in the shoe business in the store adjoining the Safety Fund 
National Bank, on Main street. He has been connected with 
the coal business since 1871, in the office of Garfield & Proctor, 
until he left to engage in the present business. 

Martin Hadlkv, agent for the Leominster Coal Co., com- 
menced business May 20th of 1886. He is a native of Leom- 
inster, and was in the office of his father, James Hadley, 
l)revious to taking his present situation. 

Cephas Dkriu' engaged in the Wood and Lumber business 
in 1844, a business in which he has continued up to the j^resent 
time. He is a son of Thomas and Mary Stone Derby, born in 
Leominster, March 14, 18 19, a twin brother of Sewall Derby, 
and one of eleven children, who all lived to grow up. He left 
home to earn his living at the age of nine years, lie lived in 
Cambridge the season of 1836, in Bolton from 1839 to 1844, 
and the rest of his life in Leominster. He married Ann F. 

29 



226 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Nourse, daughter of Stephen and Sarah Houghton Nourse of 
Bolton, April 7, 1842. Mr. Derby has served on the Board of 
Assessors of Leominster six or seven years, and on the Board 
of Selectmen nine years. 

James M. Robrins has bsen a wood dealer in Leominster 
for the past eight years. He is a native of this town, and for 
twenty years was employed in the grain business, working for 
Oliver Patch, Stratton Brothers, Cozzens & Harris and Cozzens 
& Sons. In connection with his wood business Mr. Robbins 
has a boarding stable on Earl street, near Mechanic. 

Howard Gilson, Ice Dealer, started in business first on 
his own account, afterwards buying out the stock and build- 
ings formerly owned and used by J. C. Hoyt. E. R. Wixon 
was also engaged in the ice business for several years previous. 

CONTRACTORS, ETC. 

Leominster is well represented in this line of business, the 
amount of building in the past few years furnishing employ- 
ment for a large number of workmen under the direction of 
competent contractors. The oldest contractors now in business 
are S. A. Meads and Paul Webber. 

S. A. Meads is a native of Limerick, Maine. He after- 
wards lived in Clinton and Lunenburg, coming to Leominster 
about the year 185 1. He was a carpenter by trade and worked 
for E. A. Litchfield and others. In August, 1862 he en- 
listed in the 36th Reg. Mass. Vols., serving three years lacking 
a few weeks. He was one of five brothers in the army. Two 
were from Maine, one from Massachusetts, one from New York, 
and one from Minnesota. Since returning from the war, Mr. 
Meads has followed the business of Contractoc and Builder, and 
in his time has probably built a larger number of houses than 
any other contractor now in business. 

Paul Webber was born in Alfred, York County, Maine. 



COMMERCIAL. 22/ 

He learned the Carpenter's trade and has followed the business 
for thirty-five years. He came to Leominster in 1871, where he 
has since been actively engaged in building. Many of our res- 
idences and manufactories were built under his direction, among 
whicii may be mentioned the residences of V. A. Whitney, A. 
L. Burditt and N. Harwood on Grove Avenue, the two facto- 
ries of W'achusett Shirt Co., The Valjjey & Anthony Shoe 
Factory, the recent extensive addition to the F. A. Whitney 
Carriage Co., and the Whitney & Rice Steam Mill Plant. 

Albert F. L^•()X is a native of Chelmsford, Mass. He 
came to this town from Marlboro', in 1870, and worked at his 
trade for Stillman A. Meads and I-^ A. Litchfield until 1873, 
when he commenced business for himself, continuing until the 
present time in this and adjoining towns, within a radius of 
twenty miles. 

Harris & Burbank, the firm consisting of L. M. Harris 
and C. W. Burbank, have done a considerable amount of build- 
ing in this and adjoining places, during the past three years. 
Mr. Harris is from North Leominster, and previous to 1885 
worked for A. E. Lyon of this place, and was foreman for Mar- 
tin Sanderson of Fitchburg. Mr. Burbank is a native of Al- 
fred, Maine, and came to Leominster and was in the emplov of 
Paul Webber for eight years. 

Charles Green was born, and learned his trade in West- 
field, Mass. He came to Leominster from Lunenburg, and has 
been engaged in the business here for the past 17 years. 

F. S. Nettletox has been a resident of Leominster for 
several years, working on Pianos and as Contractor and Builder 
the greater part of the time, being engaged in the latter busi- 
ness in Lowell, prior to coming to this town. 

William H. I'rissei.i. was born July 28, 1826, in Thet- 
ford, Vermont, When war was declared he enlisted, Nov. 28 
1861, in Co. K, 6th X. H. Reg., for a three years service. He 



228 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

came to Leominster in 1865. He has been engaged as Car- 
penter and Builder for 23 years. 

VVm. Boynton came to Leominster from Lunenburg, work- 
ing here and in Fitchburg for several years. He built the F. 
G. Smith Piano Factory. 

Elmer Powers is a native of Leominster, and has recently 
commenced business on his own account, previously working 
for A. K. Lyon. 

C. P. Greex has recently started the business. 

Wm Smith was for several years the principal brick mason, 
and his brother, Edmund C, before him. The former met with 
an accident some five or si.v years ago, which incapacitated him 
for labor for some time. 

H. N. Spring was born in Chester, Vt., March 14, 1842. 
He enlisted in the 17th Vermont Infantry, Feb. 15, 1864, for a 
term of three years, was discharged about March ist, on ac- 
count of a mistake in the quota of Springfield, where he en- 
listed ; came to Leominster and enlisted July 15, 1864, in Co. 
E, 5th Mass. Vols., was appointed Corporal July 28, and was 
discharged Nov. 17, 1864; he enlisted in the Mass. State Mil- 
itia in 1871, was chosen 2d Lieut, of Co. K, 6th Reg., Feb 4, 
1879, ^^'^^^ elected Capt. July 27, 1888. Resigned and received 
his discharge from the militia July 28, 1882. Capt. Spring has 
been several years in the business, and the leading contractor 
since his. predecessor, Wm.. Smith, gave up the business. 

\V. A. Cook is the only other mason in town. 

The Co-Operative Bank was organized April 26, 1888. 
The monthly meetings are held the third Friday evening of the 
month, in the Ladies Relief Corps Rooms, Bank Block, Main 
street. The officers are : Geo. W. Standley, Pres.; F. W. 
Tenney, Vice Pres.; W. K. White, Sec. and Treas.; Directors, 
E. F. Pierce, W. H. Wood, Chas. H. Rice, H. L. Harris, T. J. 
Ham, H. E. Davis, J. G. Tyler, A. E. Newton, F. E. Huntress. 



COMMERCIAL. 229 

Auditors, \i. II. Hates, \V. F. r.awrence, F. W. Osjjood ; Attor- 
ney, William !•]. White; [-"inance Committee, IT. K. Davis, J. 
(}. Tyler. 

i:XPRKSS. 

W.VLTKK T. Roiiiiixs has been in the Ivvpress business for 
for the past thirty years. The first K.xpress Company doing 
business in town was Fiske & Co. Thomas Robbins was ap- 
p )inted agent for this company when the Fltchburg R. R. was 
Iniilt, at a salary of ten dollars a month, and when the Old Col- 
ony R. R. went into operation, Mr. Robbins employed Joseph 
1 hiskell at two dollars a month, to look after the express that 
came by that road. Upon the death of Air. Robbins, his son, 
Walter T., succeeded to the business, remaining as agent of 
this company, and its successor, the U. S. & C. until the N. \'. 
i^ B. Despatch E.xpress started in 1882, when he accepted the 
agency for the new company. C. 1-^ Voung, an old friend and 
an associate for years in the Flxpress business, being appointed 
his successor. Mr. Robbins is a native and a life-long resident 
of Leominster. In addition to the Express business he has 
been interested in the livery business for years, more recently 
with Josiah Pierce, under the firm name of Pierce & Robbins. 

V. W. Tf.nxev, expressman, has been in the employ of the 
company for the past year and a half. He is a native of Leom- 
inster, a son of Oilman Tenney. 

Fr.wk W. Jenkins is the present agent of the V. S. & C. 
division of the American. 

The Leominster Hotel, Monument Square, is kept by 
Geo. .S. Jones. A hotel has been located in that immediate vicin- 
ity for many years, the corner of Pleasant street and .Monument 
Square, being an old tavern stand i)rior to the building of a 
hotel there, and its destruction by fire, (leorge II. Cole, now 



230 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

associated with his son, Wm. A., in conducting the American 
House in Fitchburg, was for several years landlord, previous to 
Mr. Jones becoming proprietor. 

The Marshall House, North Leominster, Mrs. Scarlett, 
proprietor, is also an old Hotel stand and the only public house 
in that part of the town. 

CuMMiNGS House, in Paton's Block, corner of Water and 
Mechanic street, near the Railroad station, is kept by W. H 
Cummings. 

The Linden House on Church street, although strictly 
speaking, a private boarding house, yet has some transient pat- 
ronage, and may be classed under this head. Mrs. E. Free- 
man has been for several years the proprietor. 

The Central House, Central, corner of Union, D. H. 
Murphy, proprietor, should also be mentioned. 

Livery Stables are run in connection with the two Hotels, 
by Pierce & Robbins, R. B. Parker, and C. S. Marshall & Co., 
at the center and 1. G. Pierce in North Leominster. 

Teamsters and Truckmen are C. G. Morse, F. J. Lewis 
& Co., and M. H. Kittredge. 

PAINTERS,— PAPER HANGERS. 

Levi Tower is the longest established painter in town. 
He was employed by J. Augustus Kendall for about twenty- 
five years, until the death of Mr. Kendall, when he bought out 
the business. The other painters in town are Henry Joy, 
Divoll & Richardson, Jerome Phelps, T. S. Lord, F, F. Fiske 
and S. Derwin. The two latter are carriage and sign painters. 

L. J. Gibson is a life-long resident of Leominster and has 
been for several years a dealer in paper hangings, etc. 

Foster Brothers, Paper Hangers, the firm consisting of 
Hugh and Martin Foster, twin brothers, are located in Cook's 
Block. 



COMMERCIAL. 231 

TOBACCO AND CIGARS. 

Thompson Bros., wholesale and retail Cij^ar and Tobacco 
dealers, located in Wood's Block in Nov. i.SSi. For a year j^a.st 
the business has been conducted by Elijah Thompson, retain- 
ing the firm name. Mr. Thompson is a n.iti\'e of Douglas, 
Mass., where he resided until the tinvj of the Rebellion, when 
he enlisted, Aug. 19, 1862, in Compan\' 1, 51st Mass. Vols., his 
regiment remaining two months beyond tlie expiration of their 
time of service. He spent some fifteen years in Photography 
previous to engaging in his present business. Portrait in Mili- 
tar}- chapter. 



CHAPTER XII. 



M ANUF ACTU RIN G. 







HAT the business interests of 
Leominster are more than usually 
varied, is evident from even a 
hasty review. Probably few towns 
in the Commonwealth exceed her 
in the number of mechanical in- 
dustries, or in the skill and energy with which each is con- 
ducted. Many of these industries reach such magnitude that 
their products are familiarly known in all parts of the country, 
and some are even exported. It is further true, that many of 
these industries employ skilled workmen and so ensure to the 
town a large proportion of intelligent and thinking citizens. 
Leominster has always been noted for its thrift, for the genera! 
intelligence and good character of its inhabitants. This comes 
in part, at least, from the nature and variety of its mechanical 
interests. There is less danger that men will be without em- 
ployment ; a greater tendency to acquire and hold property, a 
general feeling of security which does much for the healthy 
and permanent growth of any town. 

In this chapter the present business will be treated with 
only so much of history as will serve to set it in the proper 
light. 



MANUFACTURING. 233 

COMB BUSINESS. 

In writing of the different Leominster Industries, past or 
present, "The Comb Business " should have the place of honor. 
The reason is found in this fact ; that while it was not the ear- 
liest mechanical business in Town, it was for many years more 
generally engaged in than any other, and from the nature of 
the business itself, and from the methods of manufacture at 
first used, it required very little capital and employed, in pro- 
portion to the value of the product, a very large per centum of 
labor. More than this, the business gave to Leominster the 
fact and the feeling of prosperity. In this business, men ac- 
quired wealth, moderate in amount, indeed, if measured by our 
present standards, but ample for the times. In this way, also, 
came that well to do feeling, which has always been character- 
istic of Leominster. 

The comb business came to Leominster from West New- 
bury about the year 1775. The house where the business be- 
gan is still a familiar landmark on Pleasant street, as you go 
towards the C. C. Boyden farm. The initial letter of this chap- 
ter, will be recognized as a good illustration of this house. 
This house, known as the old Hills house, was built in the year 
1759 by Llias Carter and by him sold to Mr. Hills in 1774. 
It is now owned by Cornelius Whitcomb and B. F. Blodgett. 
Here, in the year above named, or very soon after, Obediah 
Hills commenced to make combs from horns. The kitchen of 
this house was the first comb shop. The work then, and for 
many years after was all done by hand. I^'or some years Obe- 
diah, Smith and Silas Hills carried on this business, in a small 
way, in different places in town, but Joseph Tenney, John 
Chase and lulward Lowe, who all came to Leominster from 
West Newbury, as well as John Kendall and Jonathan John- 
son were, also, among the early comb makers. As full a list 
as possible of the workers in this business will be given at the 
30 



234 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



end of this article. John Buzzell, who worked shell and ivory 
as well as horn, seems to have been the first to turn his atten- 
tion to the question of tools for comb mikers. His labor sav- 
ing machinery caused many changes in the making of combs, 
improving the finish and increasing the facility of manufacturing. 
Jabez Lowe together with Charles and Thomas Hills owned 
the first screw press, which, for greater 
security against infringement, was built in 
a rude hut in Ashby woods before the 
patent was issued. The inventor was 
Mcpherson Smith and the original patent 
papers are now in the possession of Thos. 
.A.. Hills. The patent was issued Jan. 28, 
181.S, and the papers were signed by J. {). 
Adams, Secretary of State. The press, as 
built then, is the same, in princi|)le, as 
those in use in the comb shops of to-day, 
as will be seen by the accompanying cut. 
Jonas Colburn was the first man who used cotton cloth 
balls for polishing combs, and the first and only comb maker 
who made rolled over combs, at one time doing considerable 
of that kind of work for other comb makers. 

Ward M. Cotton invented the automatic machine, with 
cams, for cutting combs. He also made grails and other comb 
tools. The Buzzell quarnets and grails were also much used. 
The swing jaw cutting machine was invented by Mr. Damon. 

At first the horns, used in this business, were of small 
value. The manufacturers often brought the material, after 
cutting the horns into pieces for use, from Worcester on horse- 
back. The value of the product was thus largely a matter of 
labor, and so contributed most directly to the growth and pros- 
perity of the town. 

E\en a brief description of comb-making in Leominster, 




MANTFACTUKIXr;. 235 

would require i)r()ii'iiucnt mention of tiic llills taniily, since this 
taniily not onl\' h;ul the honor ot he^innin;^ the business here, 
but were also very lar;;-ely en;M;4eJ in its prosecution. 

The family is of iCnj^lish origin. Mr. Joseph Hill, the an- 
cestor of the Hills of Leominster, was horn ni .Shrewsbury, 
I'hii;huul, in i6o2, and came to Charlestown in 1638. He was 
four times m.irried, his last wife hein^ the wiilow of Henry 
Lunt of Xewhurv, Mass. hh-om this ])laee his descendants 
came to Leominster as stated above. While in Newbury Mr. 
Hill atlded the letter s to his name, that his family might not 
be lost in the increasing company bearing the same name. 
That he was a mm of special ability anl influ.'nce is evident 
from these facts. He represented Maiden at the ( ieneral Court 
in 1647 an. 1 1656, was Speaker of the H.»use in 1647. In 1648 
he was appointed b\' the ( ieneral Court one of a committee to 
codifv the laws of the Commonwealth. As a return for this 
service he was exempt from taxation the last five years of his 
life. He filled other jilaces of trust to his own honor an 1 the 
advantage of the people. He died in Newbury in 1688. 

Smith Hills, the immediate ancestor of the Leominster Hills, 
hid onlv seventeen children, of whom Obadiah, the eleventh, 
and Silas, the fifteenth, have already been named as among the 
founders of the comb business in L:omlnster; Dea. Charles 
Hills, a son of Silas Hills, was tlie most proniment comb-maker 
in the llills familv of the second generation. After the war of 
181J, hewas engaged in this in lustry for more than thirty 
vears. He also held many oflices of tru.-.t and honor. He rejv 
resented the town at the General Coiirt. in 1839-40-41, and was 
a deacon of the Unitarian church from 1835 until his death. 
Three brothers of Dea. Charles Hills were comb makers by 
trade, and engaged in the business with him. l'"or more than 
a century the descendants of Smith Hdls owned and occif|5ied 
the farm on I'leasant street, which he and his sons bou^^ht in 



236 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

1774. Since 1859, however, so many changes have been made 
that no one of the family now own any part of the original 
estate. 

The early methods employed in the manufacture of combs 
may be briefly described. It has been stated already that the 
work, at first, was all done by hand and the tools were few and 
rude. The horn was first cut into pieces with a common hand- 
saw, split open and thrown into hot water to soften. It was 
then pressed flat by means of the old wedge press, which was 
one of the most conspicuous objects in all the early comb shops. 
This press was so arranged that when the pieces of horn were 
put in place, they could be pressed flat by means of wedges 
driven in opposite directions. When this work was finished, 
the pieces were taken from tiie press and again softened by 
soaking in hot water. They were then ready for the next step, 
which was the cutting of the teeth. This was done by means 
of a small handsaw. A sharp knife was used to shave the 
comb and the smoothing and the polishing was done by rubbing, 
first with sand and water, and, after coloring, with chalk and 
vinegar, or other preparations. 

The bending was performed by using a number of small 
blocks of wood a foot long and three or four inches through. 
A small circular piece was cut from the side of each block of 
the e.xact size and shape desired, the comb put in its place and 
the piece cut from the block put over the comb. The whole 
was kept in place by a stick passed through staples in the sides 
of the blocks. In this way the comb was bent to the desired 
shape. When ready for market the combs were wrapped in the 
coarsest and poorest wrapping paper, in dozen packages, one 
of the number being placed on the Outside as a sample. Boxes 
were used for packing combs about thirty-five years ago. 

The change which time has brought to this as to all other 
business, can in no way be more clearly illustrated, than by 



MANUFACTURING. 237 

recalling the fact, that in the early days of comb-making, it was 
not unusual for a man to make up what combs he could, pack 
them in saddle bags and start for the Boston market. In these 
days of rapid transit, of varied and perfect machinery, of large 
sales and small profit, such a state of things seems hardly pos- 
sible. 

As illustrating some of the early ways of doing this bus- 
iness, reference may be made to Bezaleel Gibson, especially 
as his name does not elsewhere appear. In the year i(Si6, Mr. 
Gibson bought the old tavern stand of Levi Moore on West 
street, in which a few years later, (about i<S2o), he opened a 
country store. On the opposite side of the street, in a house, 
which at one time, w is used for finishing cloth, he carried on a 
\-cr\- large ci>mb business. The trade in those days was mostly 
1)\ barter, so calletl. Mr. (iibson sold his conil)s to dealers in 
Boston, and received in jiayment orders on the different stores 
in Leominster, whose owners bought goods of Mr. (libson's 
Boston customers. Theso orders he would in turn dispose of 
to his help in the comb shop in payment for their services. In 
this wav there was a continual round of trade, but verv little 
monev j^assed from hand to hand. To a man of that time, the 
weekly payment plan would have been a novelty indeed. The 
stores kept in town at that time, and where this barter 
was carried on, were owned by Joel C. and Henr\- Allen, Gen. 
Gibbs and Jonas K. Richardson, as well as that owned h\ Mr. 
Gibson himself. 

At the tim;?, now under consideration, the apprentice sys- 
tem was an important part of the comb business. The young 
msn bound out to learn this trade, usually served not less than 
three years, and for the most part they lived in the familv of 
their employer. Many of the old comb makers of Leominster 
learned their trade with Mr. Gibson, Among these may be 
named John Wethcrbce, Franklin Lombard, George Wakefield, 



238 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Emerson Prescott, William Damon, John B. Davis, Josiah Rich- 
ardson, Gardner Morse, Thomas B. Wilder and Montraville Buf- 
fum. Many more might be named no doubt. The full history 
of those days, when young men took time to learn a trade, 
would be alive with interest. 

During the last part of his business life Mr. Gibson em- 
ployed some forty men ; and owing to the roundabout way of 
doing the business as above described, and the great care and 
anxiety involved, his mental powers failed. For sixteen years 
before his death, which occiu-re:l Aug. 5, 1855, he was forced 
to give up all active business. During these years he was 
cared for by his son, George P. Gibson. 

Mr. Gibson was an earnest temperance man, a member of 
the first tem):)erance Society in town ; a Society organized about 
1830. He was, also, one of the original m.^mbers of the Ortho 
dox Church. 

This picture of comb making, with its slow hand work, its 
narrow quarters, its rude tools, its barter trade, its apprentice 
system, is after all, much of it, less than a century old ; but so 
great progress has been made in this and all other kinds of 
manufacturing, our ideas have so changed as to life and busi- 
ness, that it seems to belong to an age not our own. On the 
opposite page is a cut which gives a clear idea of many of the 
tools used by the early comb makers. 

As has been stated the old wedge press was an important 
accession in the comb business previous to the introduction of 
the screw press. It was made from a piece of timber, mortised 
to receive the iron plates and strips of horn placed between 
them, and the wedges were driven down with a heavy beetle. 
It was while at work at one of these presses that George W. 
Cook was fatally injured by a stroke of the mallet in the hands 
of a careless assistant. The guillotine was used after the 
pieces were cut and straightened, for removing the wrinkles 



•MANTFAC Tl'KlXd, 



230 



Liiul Haws, the stock afterwards bcin:; still further reduced l)y 
the use of the crooked shave, and the standing horse, the latter 
allowing a person to stand upright and was similar to what are 
used hv leather finishers. The 'r<i|^i)cr or Pointer was in use 
wjien the ends of the comb teeth were cut off square, but went 
out of use when they were made by machinery. The (irile or 
Grail was used for rounding off and linishing the teeth, and is 
used to a great extent at the present time, it being a tool of 
unusual application. The (Juiriiet was used principally on 
tlressing combs, to even and smooth the surface after shaving. 
ICngraving tools of various sha])es are necessary in all comb 
shops, ancient or modern. Tlie Oiiller or Quilling Stock was 




used for cutting a bead on the plain stock before the comb was 
shaped, instead of the later process of embossing. The Bot- 
toming Saw was used for rounding and sharpening the spaces 
between the teeth. 

The old fashioned wheel horse jiower, illustrated in the 
accompanying cut, as used in the early comb shops, is an in- 
teresting study in the light of modern improvements. They 
were located, usually, in the bisement or first story, and the 
l)rincii)al work was carried mi in the story ab'.)\e. They were 
first used in the shoi:)s of Dea. Jonas Colburn, Charles 11 ill, T. 
C. Merriam, Rufus Kendall, and Thomas Hills, and later by 
James II. Carter ami others. The oM horse power building of 



'1'' l.l'OMlNSri'K, lIlSlOKlCAl, AM) I'M 'M 1 1< I'.SOIl K,. 

I li"iii.i'. Illll'., oil l'l<-,r.,iiit ■.hccI, i', '.lill ■,l,iii(|||i;', KlllllS 
I'.<imI,iII vv.i'i I <iir,i(|( i .1 I)I( ()I ,i I.mmI owihi .md iinplnycfl ;i |;irj/(; 
HIIIIiIhi oI per, oil', III (,i||yi;i;'_ on |ir, | )ir,|||r'/>_ \(,\ ih.il priirdl^ 
• il "lif lime li.ivili!', Ilily III hi', l.iiiiily lie ;il',o |.;rj)| ;i :,loir 
.iikI i-iij^i!o(| (••Irir,! vcly iii tin- jII'. Iiir.i nc,,. iVI i , Kriid.iH 
W.IH IIh- owiici oI IIm- I.ii;m',I .iikI inoj <l,i lioi .1 1 <| y |)l.iiiiici| of 
flu'Mf lior.r |iowir, It ( oir,r,li(( o| .i khiikI vvIhcI oi jiLiIIoiih 

OVii Iwi'llty [ri-\ III (li.iiijil CI , Milipoi led hy ,| |;iijm- (rlitn 'ipili 
•II'' I ''.M liili;; Il oiii llic llooi lo llic ( i'ilili|'_, ;ili(| scl .il ,i .ll|;lil 




.lll('.lc Jlii'. '.iHiiillc w.r, liiiiil.licd with ;mmi iii;'_ wlii( li (Oli 
iM'i lid Willi llic i'(Miiii;'_ on llic III, nil '.li.ili I licii- was a sla- 
lioii,ii\' ',1,1 1 1, one '.idc III wliii 1 1 w.c. I nil 1 1 liom tlic llooi , llic 
|>I lici 1 1 on I llic I ciliii", wil II ,111 nil liiicil w.ilK , ii{i wliii il I lic 
lini'.c vv,r, led iiilo llic '.l.ill, .iiiil .1 ',li,i{i l.i'.lcncd .n los', III 
.iiJdiliKii lo llic ii'.ii.d ,i|i|i|i,iiH I ",, llicic wM'i, III llii;> III'. I, line, an 
illttJI't'Si in;.', colli! IV, Hire loi nil ic.imii;; llic :,|icei| wlieii dcsiicd. 
1 1 was a I liei I \ ',lii k ,1 1 Kill I I In ce ,iiiil ,1 li.dl I eel loll",, lilli;',ei| lo 
llic 'iide o| (lie '.(.dl, .\[\i\ I oniiei led Ity ,i stiiii^ Ic.idni)', to a 
.Mii.dl lioy III the :iloiy ajiovr \\ lien the jiowcr slaiUciicd, the 



MANUFACTURING. 24 1 

Ixjy worked the string, the horse struck a livelier gait and the 
machinery began to hum. To counteract the sudden increase 
of speed, a ponderous beam was suspended from the ceiling, 
one end resting on a drum on the shafting overhead, soar- 
ranged as to drop and produce friction, thus regulating the 
sj^eed when necessary. 

A somewhat amusin- a-.^'jcni happened one day, which 
showed the necessity of transferring the brake directly<to the 
wheel. The shop had passed into the hands of Jas. H. Cook, 
and on this occasion the management and control of the power 
was in the hands of the proprietor's young son. The persuader 
may or may not have been more vigorously applied than usual, 
at all events the speed increased at an alarming rate, the brake 
was put on suddenly, and every tooth in the gearing was broken 
out. An opening had to be made in the side of the building 
and a lever introduced against the platform as a brake before 
the wheel could be .stopped and the horse released from his 
perilous situation. 

Although the comb business is not now the chief industry 
of Leominster, there are still many prosperous firms in town 
who deserve special mention. 

A. \V. Williams has a large factory on W ater street, 'i his 
business was started in 1871 by Charles L. Joslin, W. L. 
Palmer and A. \V. Williams, under the firm name of Joslin, 
Palmer & Williams. In 1S77, Mr. Palmer .sold his interest to 
Joslin & Williams, and the business was carried on by them 
until Oct. 1883 ; when Mr. Joslin sold his interest to Mr. Wil- 
liams, who, frrrn t^at time, has conducted the business uitv^.n^ 
a partner. 

Mk. a. W. WiLLiAMr. was Ixjrn, Junc 25, 1838, in Mans. 
field, Mass., and educated in the Public Schools of Attleboro'- 
He served a three years apprenticeship to learn the gold jew- 
31 



242 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE, 

elry trade, and followed that business until the breaking out of 
the war, when he enlisted in the 7th Mass. Regt., and served 
22 months. P'rom that time until he came to Leominster, Mr. 
Williams was foreman for Shaw & Capron, in the horn jewelry- 
business at Mansfield, Mass., and Jersey City, N. J. 

For the last three years Mr. Williams has been one of the 
directors in the Leominster National Bank. 

The Paton Manufacturing Co. Although this com- 
pany is not now engaged in manufacturing, still it should be 
mentioned in this connection. 

A. S. Paton, the head of this firm, was born in Dunbarton, 
Scotland, Nov. 20, 1854. He came to Leominster in 1871 
and began work for the Union Comb Co. In 1879 he started 
business for himself in the upper story of the building on Me- 
chanic street, where M. F. Morse now works. The firm was 
Wilder, Paton & Metcalf. Later this was changed to Paton & 
Metcalf and then to the Paton Manufacturing Co. 

After the de.ith of W. D. Somers, the business was moved 
to the Somers' shop on Central street and continued there 
until the shop was destroyed by fire the present year. 

Mr. Paton is an active member of some of the fraternal 
societies, and is much interested in political mitters. In 188 1, 
he married Clara M., daughter of Mr. W. D. Somers. 

TiLTON and Cook are doing a thriving business on Earl 
street, and employ about 35 hands. The firm consists of Ed- 
ward B. Tilton and George H. Cook, and they began business 
at their present location, April i, 1880, although the shop has 
since been enlarged. The firm manufacture combs or jewelry, 
as the market demands. Both members of the firm are natives 
of Leominster and were educated here. At one time Mr. Til- 
ton studied music and was employed as organist at the Ortho_ 
dox church, but for the most part both he and Mr. Cook have 





GEO. H. COOK. 



E. B. TILTON 





A. S. PATON 



O. H. SMITH. 





WILLIAM D. EARL. 



THOMAS A. EARL. 





WILLIAM H. CHASE. 



WILLIAM RODGER. 



MANUFACTURINO. 243 

devoted their attention to comb business. They push their 
affairs with energy and success. 

W. D. Eari. & Co. This firm consists of the brothers, 
W. D. and T, A. ICarl. They commenced the manufacture of 
horn goods in the year 1870, and are now doing business in the 
brick factory, owned by them, on Earl street. They employ 
about si.xty hands in making horn combs, buttons, hair pins, 
etc. The goods are finely finished and prepared for the market 
with great care. 

W. D. Earl, the elder brother, was born in North Attle- 
boro', Aug. 5, 1830. He learned the jewelry business, and, in 
1856, began trade for himself. In 1862, Mr. Earl went to 
Springfield, and was cmjjloyed in the U. S. Armory as inspector, 
until 1864, when he removed to Boston, and went to work at the 
jewelry business for a number of years. He came to Leomin- 
ster in 1870, and started business as above stated. Mr. Earl 
was married in 1857 to Miss Helen B. Corliss of Lowell, who 
died in 1869. He represented the town of Attleboro at 
the "General Court" in 1859 and again in 1862. 

Thomas A. ICarl is, also, a native of North Attleboro'^ 
where he was born June 12, 1832. He was associated with 
his brother in the manufacture of jewelry. In 1866 he came to 
Leominster and engaged in the manufacture of horn goods, 
and in 1870 united in forming the existing firm. June 9, 
1869, he married Mary M. Prevear, daughter of Ixlward Pre- 
vear of this town. They have one son, who is now in his sec- 
ond year at the Listitute of Technology, Boston. 

B. F. Blodgett &. Co., comb and jewelry manufacturers. 
The firm consists of B. F. and K. F. Blodgett and 1). E. True. 
The business was established in 1869 by B. F., 1'^ F. Blodgett, & 
Alanson Richardson, and in 1874 D. E. True became a mem- 
ber of the firm. In 1876 Alanson Richardson sold his interest 



244 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

in the business. The shop where the business is conducted 
was built by George L. Carter in 1869, and bought by B. F. 
Blodgett in 1878. The firm are doing a good business. 

B. F. Blodgett, the senior member of this firm, was born in 
Chesterfield, N. H., July 17, 1822, and educated there. He 
came to Leominster in 1842. He worked at comb making for 
G. & A. Morse, Joslin & Adams, and was a member of the last 
named firm for three years, and bought out the firm in 1863. 
Afterwards he was in company with James B. Gallup and en- 
gaged in different business enterprises until the formation of 
the present partnership. Mr. Blodgett has served the town on 
the Board of Overseers of the Poor. 

E. F. Blodgett is a native of Leominster, and was educated 
here. He was bred to the comb business, and like the other 
members of the firm, is a practical workman. He takes a lively 
interest in all town affairs. 

D. E. True, the other member of the firm, is a native of 
Meredith, N. H., where he was born April 29, 18 14. 

Damon, Howe & Co. have their place of business on Cotton 
street, and manufacture combs and horn goods. Both are na- 
tives of Leominster. George R. Damon was born Nov. 4, 1843, 
learned the trade of his father, and after that was engaged with 
him under the firm name of Damon & Son. Mr. Damon served 
in the army during the war, enlisting first in the 36th Mass, 
Vols, and afterwards re-enlisting in the Mass. 6th. He has al- 
ways been active in the Fire Department. He was Chief for 
five years and on the Board of Engineers for ten years. His 
term of service in all departments covers twenty years. 

C. H. Howe was born Dec. 17, 1850, learned his trade of 
Patch & Smith, worked at the furniture and piano business until 
1878, when he started in the horn and button business. At 
first the firm of Damon & Howe rented the building they now 








B. F. BLODGETT. 



E. F. BLODGETT. 





JOSEPH F. GOODHUE 



ALANSON RICHARDSON. 



MANUFACTURING. 245 

occupy, but acquired the property by purchase May 26, 1887. 

Derby, Whitcomb & Co. This firm consists of Andrew 
G. Derby, CorncHus A. Whitcomb, Augustus G. Colburn. Two 
are old comb makers. They are doin<^ a go(xl business in a 
l)uilding long used for manufacturing combs, and facing on 
Mechanic street. Mr. Whitcomb was born in Leominster, Nov. 
8, 1834. He worked at the comb business with his father in 
tlie shop of Thomas Hills and after that for Joslin & Adams. 
In 1857 he began work for Wheelock & Gilchrist, afterwards 
James Gilchrist, and continued until 1861, when he began bus- 
iness with Andrew G. Derby. In 1853 the business was con- 
solidated with that of D. H. Wheelock, under the firm name of 
Derby, Wheelock & Whitcomb. From 1 855 to 1869 the firm 
was Derby & Wheelock and since then Derby, Whitcomb & Co. 
Mr. George R. Damon being a member of the firm for a time. 
Mr. Whitcomb has held important positions of trust in town 
affairs, serving as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor. Mr. 
Colburn was born in Leominster, Dec. 7, 1843, ^'""^^ worked in 
the comb business until he was engaged with the present firm. 
Mr. Colburn enlisted in the 4th Reg. Mass., Heavy Artillery 
and made part of the Leominster quota in Co. K, although he 
did not enter the army from this town. Mr. Derby is a native of 
Leominster, has spent his life in the comb business as will 
appear from the above record of the business relations of Mr. 
Whitcomb. 

Ten'nev anh Porter. This firm started business Nov. i, 
1886, and consists of C. H. TenneyanJ C. H.Porter. C. H. 
Tenney, a son of Gilman Tenney, is a native of Leominster, 
born Aug. 27, 1847. He learned his trade of Jonas Colburn, 
and was a member of the firm of Tenney, Kenn.m & Co., man- 
ufacturers of horn goods. 

CM. Porter was born Aug. 3D, 18^7. and therefore is 



246 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

nearer a twin to his partner in age than in weight. Mr. Porter 
was interested in the firm of Tilton & Look and also in that of 
Look, Kenney & Porter. After this he was a member of the 
firm of F. A. Clapp & Co., dealers in horns, and then formed 
with Mr. Tenney his present business relations. This firm is 
doing a a profitable business. They employ about 25 hands 
and produce $24,000 worth of goods annually. 

Jo.^EPH P". Goodhue does a limited business in the manufac- 
ture of horn goods, in a shop near his residence on Union St. 
Mr. Goodhue was born in Fitchburg, Oct. 19, 183 1, and was 
educated in the Public Schools. At the age of eighteen he 
came to Leominster to learn the comb business, and served 
three and a half years with Gardner Morse. He commenced 
manufacturing in 1869 and continued until the present time. 

H E. Davis is manufacturing horn goods in the upper 
part of the building where John Mather's machine shop is. 
He is a native of Swanzey, N. H., and came to Leominster 
in 1854. He was a member of the firm of Castle & Davis. 
He started his present business in 1884. 

Spill Brothers continue the business of R. T. Spill & Co. 
This firm have always given special attention to the manufact- 
ure of raw horn dressing combs, and make the best comb of 
this kind in the market. They do business on Exchange St. 
Mr. George B. Forbes, who was in the firm of R. T. Spill & 
Co. is also engaged in this kind of business. 

HORN DEALERS. 

C. Puffer & Co. The two parts of this firm are the same ; 
Mr. Puffer is the sole owner of the business. He commenced 
as a dealer in horns in an office near the R. R. crossing on Me- 
chanic street. The building was afterwards sold to C. W. Car- 
ter, and moved to Mt. Pleasant for a dwelling. At one time 




FRED A. CLAPP. 



H. E. DAVIS. 



MAXUFACTURIXG. 247 

Mr. Jacob Puffer, father of Charles Puffer, was a member of the 
firm of C. Puffer & Co. 

Charles Puffer was born in Leominster Dec. 7, 1S33. He 
learned the comb trade of Thomas B. Wilder, who carried on 
the business on West street, working at his trade until he be- 
gan business for himself. 

F. A. Cl.vpp & Co., Dk.vi.er.s ix Horxs. This business 
has been carried on for some years by different parties, but is 
now conducted by V. A. Clapp. Mr. Clapp is a native of Con- 
\\\\v, Mass., and came to Leominster in 1871. At first he 
worked for Joslin, Palmer & Williams, but about 1878 engaged 
with W. F. Bigelow in the business of selling horns ; office in 
Lockey's shop. After disposing of this bu.siness he began the 
manufacture of buttons in the shop of Tenney & Kenney, but 
sold the business to Porter and Metcalf, and returned to the 
selling of horns, this time in company with C. M. Porter. 
About two years ago Mr. Clapp bought the interest of C. H. 
porter and has since conducted the business under the above 
firm name. 

HORN BRIC-A-BRAC. 

Houx Bric-.\-br.\c. This business, which is really a part 
of the comb business, is carried on by P. V. Lane and M. F. 
Morse. Mr. Lane began business in this line twelve years ago, 
making a specialty of horn chairs and of mounting horns. 
More recently Mr. Lane has manufactured the smaller goods of 
this kind. 

M. V. Morse started in this business in Mav 1884. He 
commenced by finishing horns, but gradually extended the 
works to include small ornaments in this line. During the past 
two Ncars one customer of Mr. Morse has used 60,000 horns. 
Last Sept. he bought out the b'itchburg Spirit Level Co., 
and is now making their goods. 



248 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

The factories of these parties are well worthy of a visit, con- 
taining, as they do, many interesting and beautiful articles. 
The business of Joel Smith & Co., has not been disposed of 
as yet, and sufficient reference has been made to it in the 
sketch of Mr. Smith. Mr. Alanson Richardson and other men 
who have been prominent in the comb making business, who 
are not now doing business, will be mentioned in the last 
chapter. 

The following named persons were well known comb man- 
ufacturers at different times engaged in business here. Oba- 
diah. Smith, Charles, Silas, Alvah, and Emerson Hills, Abel 
Artemas and John Bowers, Bezaleel Gibson, John Jones, Jacob 
Puffer, Joel Smith, Maj. Seneca Colburn, Joseph, Gardner and 
Thomas G. Merriam, James and Phineas Burdett, Gardner and 
Augustus Morse, Jacob and Jonas Colburn, Rufus and John 
Kendall, Henry Johnson, George Wakefield, Emerson Prescott, 
James H. Carter, P^dmund H. Nichols, Capt. Thomas Hills, M. 
Damon, George \V. Graves, Alexander B. Gibson. 

Eve Glasses. This business is closely connected with the 
making of horn goods. It was started in Leominster, Jan. 
1874, by J. W. Wetherbee. In 1875, Mr. W. B. Tisdale be- 
came connected with the business, which was conducted under 
the firm name of Wetherbee & Tisdale. The goods were man- 
ufactured in a part of the Lockey Piano Shop. In August, 
1882, the factory, machinery, stock, etc., were destroyed by 
fire. About this time Mr. Tisdale withdrew from the firm, but 
the business has been conducted by Mr. Wetherbee until now, 
a part of the time in connection with the Celluloid Works of 
Booth & Wetherbee. Mr. Wetherbee now has his factory and 
office on Mechanic street. 

Mr. J. W. Wetherbee is a native of Leominster. Until 
1874 he was employed in the horn business except while in the 




WADE H. JEWETT. 



C. A. WHITCOMB. 





J. WM. WETHERBEE. 



ALDRICH COOK. 



MANUFACTURING. 249 

4th Mass. Heavy Artillery during the war. He married Clara, 
second daughter of Mr. Charles L. Joslin of this town. 

rATKR MAKING. 

The manufacture of paper in different forms must be named 
among the early and profitable industries of Leominster, and 
one which still forms a v'cry imi)ortant part of her mechanical 
lilc. I'hree paper mills in all, had been built on the Nashua 
river prior to the year 1803. The first was built by William 
Nichols and Jonas Kendall, and stood a few rods below the 
present mill of the George W. Wheelwright Paper Company, 
North Leominster. This mill was some 75 feet long by 40 
wide, and had two stories above the basement. The rag and 
vat rooms were on the first Hoor, and the rest of the building 
was used for press and drying rooms. About 25 hands were 
employed. I)ea. Samuel Crocker of this town, who is still 
actively interested in the paper business, was at one time em- 
ployed in this mill. The work was mostly done by hand, and 
only about 100 pounds of paper could be made in a day ; but 
with the aid of machinery the same number of hands could now 
manufacture over two tons. The annual product of this mill as 
estimated by Mr. Wilder was about $4000. This mill was burned 
in 18 10, but rebuilt the next year. The first cylinder machine 
was used by Jonas Kendall & Sons in 1S25, and the first Four- 
drinier machine in 1833. This firm greatly increased the ca- 
pacity and product of the mill. In 1S45 this property passed 
into the hands of Edward Crehore, who enlarged the buildings, 
made use of steam, and increased the value of the annual prod- 
uct to about seventy thousand dollars. 

Nichols & Kendall built a second paper m.ill in 1801, a short 
distanct,' below the first. This was operated by the firm until 
1804, when the firm dissolved, and Nichols continued the busi- 



250 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

ness until 18 18. The mill was then sold to A. J. Allen of 
Boston ; but in a few years it was taken down as unfit for use. 
A grist, saw and oil mill were at one time connected with this 
lower factory. 

Caleb Leland erected a third paper mill in 1802. It was 
located about two hundred rods further up the river than the 
other. It was about the size of the original mill, and was ope- 
rated by Leland till 1807. After this Edward Simmons owned 
this mill till 1836, and sold it to William Parsons of Boston. 
Mr. Wilder estimates the product of this mill at $14,000 an- 
nually. It probably stood near the site of Merriam, Hall & 
Co.'s furniture shoj). At this writing the time when the mill 
ceased to be used cannot be given. The original paper mill 
was sold by Edward Crehore to Mr. Wheelwright about thirty 
years ago, was enlarged and improved by him, and has been 
further enlarged by the present owners, the George W. Wheel- 
wright Paper Co., till the product of the mill now equals seven 
tons daily, and has a ye:irly value of three hundred thousand 
dollars. This firm is very successful in the manufacture of 
Bristols, and other boards of this kind. 

TANNERY. 

I'helps & Harrison are the present representatives of the 
tannery business in Leominster. The business itself, however, 
dates back to the time of Dea. William Burrage, father of the 
late Dea. Leonard Burrage. Many will remember the old tan- 
nery built by him on the Burrage estate, North Leominster. 
The building remained standing until within a few years. This 
business was carried on by Dea. William Burrage and by his 
son Leonard for many years, and still later by Babcock and 
Burrage. It was moved by them to its present location. 

Mr. Louis Phelps, the senior partner of the present firm, 
learned his trade of Babcock & Burrage, and in 185 1, in com- 



.1 <^ 0^ 




LOUIS PHELPS. 



MANUFACTURING. 251 

jiany with Samuel Putnam, l)ought the business of his em- 
ployers. They started under the firm name of Putnam & Phelps. 
The shop occupied by the business at present was built in i.SGq. 
This firm did a large and prosperous business during- the war, 
and continued in manufacturing until icS<S3, when Mr. Put- 
nam withdrew and Mr. William H. Harrison took his place ; 
the firm name is Phelps and Harrison. 

Louis Phelps was born in Lancaster, Mass., Oct. 29, 1826. 
He came to Leominster in 1844, and began work for Babcock 
& Burrage, and finally bought the business of his employers as 
already stated. 

William H. Harrison is a native of Chesterfield, N. H. He 
came to Leominster at an early age, and received his education 
in the public schools of this town. He learned the trade of a 
tanner and worked for Putnam & Phelps until 1883, when he 
became a member of the new firm. Both Mr. Phelps and Mr. 
Harrison are practical tanners, stirring and honorable men, and 
the firm is doing a large and successful business. They em- 
ploy about 6"] hands, and the product of the tannery equals a 
quarter of a million dollars annually. 

BOOTS & SHOES. 

The manufacture of shoes has been, for many years, an 
important industry in Leominster ; and, judging from present 
indications it is likely to increase in value and extent, but with 
the exception of the nine years previous to 1845, when the Bur- 
rages were engaged in this business, very little was done in 
this line outside of the establishment of Mr. M. D. Haws, of 
North Leominster, until the factory of Valpey & Anthony was 
built. 

The business ol custom boot and shoe making was begun 
at North Leominster, soon after 1796. In that year Mr. Ben- 



2$2 L£OMINStER, HIStOklCAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

jamin Haws, grandfather of Mr. M. D. Haws of this town, 
moved to Leomhister, bought land on the southwest side of the 
Nashua river and built a small shoe shop nearly opposite the 
present home of Mr. M. D. Haws. This business descended to 
his son, as stated in the sketch of Major Amos Haws, and was 
by him sold to Bartimus Tenney about 1833. The value of the 
business during this time cannot now be given ; but when it 
came into the hands of Mr. M. D. Haws, June 9, 1839, some 
three or four hands were employed. This business Mr. Haws 
continued until Nov. i, 1885. 

M ANSON Dana Haws is a native of Leominster. He was 
born Aug. 28, 18 17, educated, for the most part in the public 
schools, prominent in business here for more than forty-six 
years, Mr. Haws has always been in active sympathy with all 
the best interests of , the town. He learned the business of 
shoe making in Fitchburg and Worcester, and after a year 
spent as a journeyman in different places, he began business at 
North Leominster, as stated above. At first the making of 
men's boots was a part of the product of his factory ; but this 
branch of the business was finally dropped, and the work largely 
confined to the making of ladies' shoes ; although some men's 
shoes were made as long as Mr. Haws continued the manufact- 
uring. As already stated the factory employed about three 
hands in the beginning on custom work ; but during and after 
the war this number was increased to eighteen or twenty. The 
value of the goods manufactured was, as nearly as known, 
fifty thousand dollars a year. As the business increased the 
old shop v/as moved to Lancaster street, converted into a dwell- 
ing house, and a new one built on the site of the present fac- 
tory. This has been twice enlarged, once to accommodate the 
business itself, and the second time to give more room to man- 
ufacturing and to admit of using steam power. 



manuialTUkixg. 253 

INIr. Haws conducted his business with rare skill and energy, 
nrikino; his own sales and purchases, while still giving personal 
attention to all the details of the work. In proof of this it may 
be said, that the help in his shop were never out of work dur- 
ing these forty-six years, except when there was a change to 
be made in the buildings. If the factory stopped at other 
times it was because the help desired a vacation. Few men, 
who have employed others, could say as much. Nov. ist, 1885, 
Mr. Haws rented the factory to Mr. H. O. Smith and retired 
from the manufacturing business, with the esteem of his fellow 
citizens and the confidence of all with whom he had held busi- 
ness relations. 

As a business man Mr. Haws is prompt, energetic, exact 
and methodical. He gives personal attention to whatever he 
wishes well done. It may be stated in proof that, when the 
Government investigated the Internal Revenue after the war, 
Mr. Haws' books were found correct. A fact in which he may 
well take just pride. Mr. Haws has deserved and received 
many marks of public favor. He represented the town at the 
"General Court" In 1862, was for six years a member, and for 
three years Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, took the lead 
in introducing town water, as stated under that head, and was 
for many years after called to preside at the annual and other 
meetings of the town. In all these ways he has rendered hon- 
orable and acceptable public service. 

He has been prominent also in financial matters. Atone 
time he was a director of the First National Bank. He was 
one of the incorporators of the Leominster Savings Bank, a 
trustee from 1867 to 1870. Since 1875 he has been a director 
of the Rollstone National Bank, I-'itchburg, and in 1879 ^^^^ 
elected trustee of the Worcester North Savings Institution, 
lie is often entrusted with estates, both as executor and trus- 



254 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

tee, and in more than one instance, although the value of the 
property has exceeded a hundred thousand dollars, he has 
at the request of the testator, been excused from giving surety 
on his personal bond. 

March 6th, 1842, Mr. Haws married Miss Lucy Ann Gra- 
ham, of Lunenburg. They have no children. 

Mr. O. H. Smith, who rented the Haws' factory, Nov. i, 
1885 is a native of West Newbury, Mass., where he was born 
F"eb. 5, 1842. He was educated in the Public Schools and at 
Groveland Academy. Mr. Smith was in the army and navy 
during the four years of the war. He is thoroughly master of 
the shoe business. He served four years as foreman for N. 
S. Cutler of Bernardston, Mass., and before coming to Leom- 
inster was a member of the firm of Baker & Creighton, Lynn, 
Mass. The business is now wholly confined to the manufac- 
ture of ladies' and misses' shoes. The business has increased 
and Mr. Smith has requested and Mr. Haws has consented to 
enlarge the factory by a three story addition of thirty feet to 
the main building. 

Valpey & Anthony. The place where the factory of this 
firm is located was utilized a century and a half ago for busi- 
ness purposes. Here stood, no doubt, the saw mill of Josiah 
White, built before 1740; and here, when the first mutterings 
of the Revolution were heard, Joseph Beaman built a grist mill. 
It was at this place that the piano case industry was started 
in Leominster. The later building, on this spot, by Hon. J. 
H. Lockey, is noted in its proper connection. 

The business of Valpey & Anthony, the making of Ladies' 
Shoes, was started in the city of Lynn, about twenty years ago, 
by H. R. Valpey and J. C. Anthony, who, by their skill and 
energy, — for both gentlemen are thorough practical workmen 
and well acquainted with all the details of the business — it has 




1. Lynn Factory. 
2 HENRY R. Valpey, 3. Joseph S.ANTHONr 

4 LECV:' -'--- C^rrr^ov 



MANUFACTURIXG. 255 

been carried from small beginnings to its .present bigii stand- 
ing and prosperous condition. In 1886, when labor troubles in 
the large cities made it desirable to transfer the shoe business, 
in part at least, from these great centres, Mr. Anthony came to 
Leominster, after making a tour elsewhere, and was so favor- 
ably impressed by the advantages of the place and the good 
will of leading business men, that the firm purchased of the 
First National Bank the land where their factory now stands. 
The buildings were finished early the following year. The fac- 
tory is large and convenient. It is 135 feet long by 35 feet 
wide, with a boiler and engine room 3c feet square. The main 
building is four stories high, thoroughly finished and adapted to 
the uses of the firm. I-^verything about the place speaks of 
thrifty and energetic business methods. In Lynn this firm em- 
ploy o\er two hundred hands, and in Leominster about seventy- 
five ; but what is now a branch of the .main business, in the 
end, may increase to include the whole. The shoe business, as 
it stands to-day, is one of the most promising of Leominster's 
industries. 

PIANOS AND PIAXO CASES. 

Both from the character of the employes and the value of the 
product, the piano business is an important industry in any 
community. It has proved so in Leominster. The business is 
prosperous, and employs a large number of very intelligent and 
skilful workmen. 

Mr. J. C Lane was the first to do Piano woik in Leomin- 
ster. About the \ear 1845, he began to make skeleton Piano 
cases in a small shop, located where \"alpey & Antliony's fac- 
torv now stands. Soon after, j. C. (iove, one of Mr. Lane's 
workmen, began to make desks and the smaller parts of the 
piano. About the same time, also, Luther Stone engagetl in 



256 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

making piano Iceys. This work was, at first, done by hand in a 
small house on Main street, where the Albert Lamb place 
now is. When power was needed, Mr. Stone removed his bus- 
iness to the shop on Mechanic street now occupied by Tenne}^ 
& Porter. Here the making of Piano Keys was continued for 
several years, by Mr. Stone. 

The first finished piano cases which Mr. Lane made in 
town were veneered by Mr. Andrew G. Reckard, who is 
still engaged in making pianos. But Mr. Lane was already en- 
gaged in building a larger shop, and one better suited to his 
business. This shop, to which he soon moved, was a wooden 
building now owned and used by the Reed Toy Company. 
Here he continued the business for some years, and then sold 
his stock, &c., to Mr. John H. Lockey, who was at one time 
his foreman. Mr. Lane moved to a shop which occupied the 
site of the present woolen mill, and continued his business for 
three yeai^s, but in the end he moved back to his old factory. 
He continued business until 1857. His brother, Howard M. 
Lane, carried on the same business at the same place for about 
20 years. Other firms which have at different times engaged 
in the piano business here, but which are not now in existence, 
will receive sufficient mention in connection with the present 
manufacturers. 

The John H. Lockey Piano C.\se Company. While the 
business of this company has been conducted under the present 
name only a few months, the business itself really dates back 
to 185 I, and so is the oldest in town. At that time Mr. John 
H. Lockey began to make piano cases in the wooden building 
which has been mentioned as forming a part of the Reed Toy 
Co.'s works, and he has continued, either alone or in company 
with his brother, in this business most of the time since then. 
The other member of the company, John M. Lockey, has al- 
32 




JOHN H. LOCKEY. 



MANUFACTURING. 25/ 

ready been mentioned under the artiele of Insurance. The 
business is large and prosperous. The company employ a large 
number of hands, and the cases made by them are in all 
respects equal to the very best in the country. 

loiix H. LoLKi:v, the senior member of the company, was 
born in St. Johns, N. H., July 25, 1.S22, and came to Leominster 
in 1847. At first he was foreman for J. C. Lane, but in KS51 
started business for himself as stated above. About three years 
later he built a new factory on the ground now occupied by the 
shoe factory of Valpey and Anthony, and continued the business 
there until the building was destroyed by tire in i(S6i. Mr. 
Lockey also engagetl in the manufacture of corn planters with 
Mr. William "SI. Ilowland, and when this business did not suc- 
ceed, he began in 1S56 lo make apple parers. This proved a 
very profitable business. When the shop was burned Mr. 
Lockey had it rebuilt and ready for use in about two months, 
lie did not at once resume the piano case business, but con- 
tinued with Mr. Howland until 1866, when he bought Mr. 
Howland's interest in the apple parer business. Mr. Lockey 
continued to make these machines for a few years, but finally 
sold his interest and the business was moxed from town. 

In iSjijMr. Lockey, in company with his brother, Jose|)h 1*. 
Lockey, resumed the making of Piano Cases, under the firm 
name of Lockey Bros. A new shop was built bv Mr. Lockey — 
the one now occupied by him — on land bought of the late 
James Hennett, ICsq ; the two factories were connected by a 
bridge over the railroad. Lockey Brotiiers, while in business 
had one of the largest and best appointed Piano Case factories 
in the country. Afterwads Mr. J. P. Lockey sold his interest to 
his brother, who conducted the business alone until the John 
II Lockey Piano Case Co., was formed Oct. 1887. 

Some years before Mr. Lcjckoy s building on the east side of 
33 



258 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

the I'ailroad was burned, his piano case business had been trans- 
ferred to the new shop. For a number of years, part of the 
work was done in a shop located further down on Mechanic 
street ; but the present season, the main building has been 
enlarged and all the work is now dcme under one roof. This 
company employ skilled workman, miny of whom have been 
in Mr. Lockey's employ for years, and some almost from the 
time when he began business. This fact is worthy of record, 
for if such workmen remain permanently with any man, he 
must show most honorable consideration for their interests 

Mr. Lockey has served the town in many positions of public 
and prixate trust, which it is not necessary to name in detail. 
He was one of the corporate members of the Leominster Sav- 
ings Bank, President of the First National Bank, represented 
the town in the House at Boston, in 1866 and the district in 
the Senate in 1867 and 1869, and has in addition served the 
town in strictly town affairs. His taste and liberality in buikl- 
ing and his skill and energy in business ha\'e aitled much in the 
growth and prosperity of the town. 

Wade H. Jewett, the senior member of this firm, was born 
in Amesbury, Mass., March 4, 18 19. In 1840 he formed a co- 
partnershij:) with his brother, A. H Jewett, and began the busi- 
ness of manufacturing fine furniture. This firm was dissolved 
in 1847, and Mr. Jewett removed to Worcester, where he en- 
tered the employ of Daniel Wilder, and learned the art of mak- 
ing piano cases. He was afterward employed by R. L. & D. 
W. Goss at Montague, Mass., and in 1.S56 came to Leominster, 
where he found employment in the piano case manufactory of 
Gove & Howard. In 1861 Mr. Jewett formed a co-partnership 
with the late George A. Allen in the firm known as Allen & 
Jewett, manufacturers of piano-fortes and piano cases. The 
factory of this firm was destroyed by fire in Feb., 1864, and was 
a total loss, there being no insurance on building or contents. 



M A X I' I' A C 1 U KING. 259 

They pluckily rose from the ashes, however, obtained accommo- 
dations in another locality, and continued the business until 
1.S69, when Mr. Allen retired. Mr. Jewett remained alone until 
Oct., 1S70, when R. B. Richardson of W'oburn became asso- 
ciated with him under the firm name of W. M. Jewett & Co. 
Early in 1SS5 this firm dissolved, Mr. Richardson retiring, and 
Mr. Jewett's two sons, \V. P. and W. G. Jewett, and a nephew, 
F. J. Woodbury, became interested in the business under the 
old firm name. These young men have been connected with 
the factory from boyhood, thus becoming thoroughly practical 
in the art of piano making, which, combined with a complete 
commercial education, enables them to successfully conduct 
the business, which has made rapid strides of advancement 
under their management. 

Mr. a. G. Reckard, who has had an experience of more 
than forty years in the business, is the proprietor of a small 
piano-forte factory near his residence on Church street. When 
Mr. Reckard first came to Leominster he was employed by J. 
C. Lane, and eventually became his foreman. He afterwards 
worked for Allen & Jewett and also for the Arlington Piano 
Company. After this firm closed out their business, Mr. Reck- 
ard began manufacturing for himself. Every instrument made 
by him passes through his own hands, and before it is shipped 
each part is thoroughly examined. The pianos made by him 
are therefore equal to the best manufactured. 

^Ir. Reckard is a native of Maine. He has been familiar 
with tools from early boyhood ; but at the age of sixteen he be- 
gan an apj)renticeship for the cabinet maker's trade. He has 
held important positions in leading piano-forte manufactories, 
is a most thorough workman, and possesses an ear at once deli- 
cate and correct for musical sounds. He is thus admirably 
fitted for this business, and his work will stand the closest test. 



26o LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

F. G. Smith Piano Case Works. It is probable that the 
privilege now used by Mr. Smith was improved not far from 
1763. Near that time Mark Lincoln erected a fulling mill at 
this place, and employed skilled workmen in the business of 
dressing home-made cloth. Capt. Ephraim Lincoln succeeded 
his father, and later still Dea. Otis Stearns, who had learned 
his trade of him, carried on the business for some years. This 
mill and power were afterwards used in the manufacture of 
combs by Messrs. Wheelock & Fletcher, and by them sold to 
the Porters in 1857. They built a new dam and a new factory, 
and put in a new water wheel, before beginning the manufac- 
ture of hay racks. This business was continued by them for 
four years, when they began the making of piano cases. In 
the spring of 1880 the business was sold to Stein way & Sons 
of New York. 

Mr. Smith's Leominster factory, where Piano Cases only 
are made, is under the management of Mr. Levi Porter, who is 
a very skilfull mechanic. 

Sept. 2, 1880, the factory was completely destroyed by fire. 
The present building, which is on the south side of the stream 
— the old factory was on the north — was in process of erection 
at the time of the fire. It was the purpose of Steinway and 
Sons to use the new shop for a finishing department. After 
the fire the new building was leased to Porter Brothers for a 
year and a half and at the end of that time Steinway & Sons 
sold the property to the present owner, F. G. Smith. Mr. 
Smith is the successor of Wm. Bradbury and one of the largest 
Piano manufacturers in the United States. 

Levi Porter was born in Marlboro, N. H., April 5th, 1826, 
and his brother. Sawyer Porter, at the same place Aug. 2, 1824. 
Both came to Leominster in 1853. They began work for 
Morse, Heustis & Dunn, in Morseville, who at that time were 





L. W. PORTER. 



J. P, LOCKEY. 





F. S. COOLIDGE. 



MANUFACTURING. 26I 

manufacturing Piano Cases. Afterwards they worked for John 
II. Lockey of Leominster, and L. \V. Page of Fitchburg. In 
the summer of 1857, they worked for Walter Knowlton, build- 
uig the house which was owned by Mr. Knowlton at the time 
of his death. This was just before the beginning of the busi- 
ness enterprise above mentioned. The factory, as now con- 
ducted, employs a large number of hands and is doing an exten- 
sive business. 

Charles J. Cobleigh, Piano Case Works, West Leominster. 
The original building on this site was erected by S. A. Meads, 
and by him designed for a sash and blind shop. When, how- 
ever, the factory of the Arlington Piano Company was burned, 
this property was purchased and used for some years by them 
for the manufacture of pianos. In January, 1880, the property 
was bought by its present owner. 

Mr. Cobleigh was born in Westminster, Nov. 2, 185 i. He 
moved from that place to Jaffrey, N. H., and also lived for a 
time in Worcester, Mass. He came to Leominster in 1870, 
and began work for John H. Lockey, making piano cases. After- 
wards he was employed in the same business by Porter Bros. 
In 1876 Mr. Cobleigh worked for J. H. Shaw& Co., of Hudson, 
Mass. 

In August, 1879, Mr. Cobleigh began business for himself 
as a manufacturer of piano cases. At first the business was 
conducted in the upper part of Tenney & Kenney's planing 
mill, but in January, 1880, Mr. Cobleigh bought the property at 
W'est Leominster as already stated and moved his business to 
that place. Since that time he has made large additions to the 
old factory, besides building new dry houses and putting in a 
side track from the O. C. R. R. to accommodate the rapid in- 
crease of his business. It is very largely due to his energy 
iiul skill that West Leominster is to-day a thriving and busy 



262 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

part of the town. When the business was removed there in 
1880, Mr. Cobleigh employed only twenty hands, but he has 
since increased that number to one hundred. The business' 
has been pushed with peculiar energy and success. 

Mr. Cobleigh has greatly benefited that part of the town 
in other ways. He bought of W. H. Hosmer the old Capt. 
Halch place, on the corner of Main and Nelson streets, and of 
Waldo Whitney his house and grounds on Nelson street. He 
has greatly improved these places, especially the first-named. 
So much so, that what was, a few years ago, a rather unsightly 
dwelling, has now an air of comfort and well-kept thrift, which 
makes an attractive corner. It was, also, largely owing to 
to the energy and influence of Mr. Cobleigh that the station at 
West Leominster was built. 

April 15, 1875, Mr, Cobleigh married Miss Martha Conant 
of Leominster. 

J. P. LocKEV & Co. This firm began the business of mak- 
ing piano cases in June, 1885, leasing for that purpose the 
Union Comb factory. This factory had been previously fitted 
up for the manufacture of piano cases. They remained there 
till Oct. 1st, 1886, when their lease expired and the property 
was sold. They then moved to the shop and mill belonging to 
Mr. George L. Rice, better known as the Whitney & Rice 
mill, on Mechanic street. Mr. Rice, at that time, became asso- 
ciated with them, the firm name remaining the same. Their 
business now is manufacturing piano cases of all kinds, a line 
of piano and organ stools, packing bo.xes, and sawing lumber, 
it now being the only saw mill in town. The mill of this firm 
has sawed over one million feet of lumber a year the last two 
years, and is likely to continue sawing the same amount for 
several years to come. Their piano cases are made under con- 
tract for New York and Boston houses. As the capacity of the 



MANUFACTURIXG. 263 

plant has proved insufficient to meet the demands for the goods 
of the firm, they are now building an addition which, when 
completed, will give them a large factory, well arranged with 
all modern improvements and appliances. 

JosKPii P. LoLKKV was born in Carleton, N. B., April 14. 
1832. Soon after leaving school he was employed in his fa- 
ther's store in St. John's, N. B. Not having a special taste for 
that business, he came to Boston in 1849 and worked two years 
in Dorchester, M^ss., learning the cabinet maker's trade. In 
1S51 he came to Leominster and commenced to work for his 
brother, Mr. John II. Lockey, who was then engaged in the 
manufacture of piano-forte cases. After working at this a few 
vears, having a desire to travel and see more of the country, 
he went West, landing in Lawrence, Kansas, the day of the 
first territorial election, and had the pleasure of casting his vote 
on the free state side in face of an armed opposition of border 
rutfians. Mr. Lockey located in Leavenworth city, Kansas, in 
1855, and was getting well established in business there, but, 
as he espoused the free state cause, his sentiments were not 
received with favor b)- the pro slavery side, — Leavenworth, at 
that time being the hot-bed of the pro slavery party. He was 
given twcntv-four hours notice, either to take up arms with 
them or leave the territory. Not choosing to accept of these 
terms, he was forced to leave Leavenworth, and while absent, 
all of his personal effects were either confiscated or destroyed. 
After leaving Leavenworth he hjcaled in Johnson county, 
Kansas, forty miles west of Kansas City, and remained there 
until the spring of 1858, when he joined a party going overland 
to California via the newly-discovered gold mines of Colorado. 
After remaining in California one year, and having had a six 
years experience of frontier life, the hardships and exposures 
• >\ which had in some degree affected his health, he decided to 
return Last, and always considering Leominster his favorite 



264 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

town, he decided to locate here for life. In 1862 he commenced 
business in Leominster in company with Mr. J. G. Tenney, 
manufacturing piano cases in a shop belonging to Mr. J. H. 
Lockey. Mr. Tenney retiring in 1865, Mr. Lockey continued 
until 1871, when he became associated with his brother under 
the firm name of Lockey Bros., as stated above. 

Mr. Lockey married Miss Catherine S. Colburn, youngest 
daughter of Major Seneca Colburn. They have two sons. Mr. 
Lockey, although devoting his time largely to private business, 
has taken a deep interest in the affairs of the town, and has 
served on the Board of Engineers and as Selectman. 

Mr. Holden is a native of Clarendon, Vermont, received 
his business training in the office of Thompson, Perley & 
Waite, chair manufacturers in Baldwinsville, came to Leominster 
to engage in business in 1885 with Mr. J. P. Lockey, as already 
stated. 

Geo. L. Rici-: is a native of Leominster. He was born 
May 4, 1845, and worked at farming until the beginning of the 
Civil War, when he enlisted in the 53rd Mass. Vols. In 1880 
Mr. Rice commenced the lumber business in connection with 
F. A. Whitney, under the firm name of Whitney & Rice. At 
first the business was conducted at the mill on Earl street, 
since fitted up as a comb shop for Tilton & Cook. Later, the 
present factory of J. P. Lockey was built. In 1884 Mr. Rice 
bought the interest of F. A. Whitney, and in 1886 he engaged 
in the piano business in the firm of J. P. Lockey & Co. 

CHILDREN'S CARRIAGES. 

The manufacture of children's carriages in Leominster was 
begun in a very modest manner by F. W. and F. A. Whitney 
in the year 1858, at which time the few in use were as a rule 
homely in shape and rudely constructed. The present beauty 




F. A. WHITNEY. 



MANUFACTURING. 



265 



and perfection in design was not even dreamed of at tliat time, 
and it was a slight and unimportant circumstance which led to 
the establishment of tliis valuable industry in Leominster. 




i8;8 



1862 



While on a visit to Greenfield, Mass., Mr. F. W, Whitney no- 
ticed on the street a baby carriage somewhat different from the 
stereotyped pattern, and it occurred to him that the manufac- 
ture in new and attractive designs might be made profitable. 
Upon his return home he consulted his cousin, Mr. F. A. Whit- 
ney, and found him equally confident, and ready to embark in 




the business. Accordingly they hired a small portion of the 
Lockey shop, located where the shoe factory of Messrs. Walpey 



J4 



266 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



& Anthony now stands, and with only a few men in their em- 
ploy began work. In 1861, soon after the outbreak of the civil 
w^ar, Mr. F. A. Whitney sold his interest to Mr. F. W. Whitney, 



!f'!'!fiilti'il»!]f|,'l)i''ifii^f|Iijf!ijj 




1877 1879 

and entered the service of the Christian Commission. After 
some months of labor he returned and purchased once more his 
share in the business. In 1862 the building they partially oc- 



y. 



Oi 



»v^ 








1886 1888 

cupied was consumed by fire, occasioning much loss with no 
insurance. With the exception of one planer, scarcely any 



MANUFACTURING. 2^"] 

thing was saved from the fire. This ijlancr is still in use 
by the company. After the fire the firm resumed work in the 
shop recently occupied by the Leominster Worsted Co. on 
Water. street, using two other buildings, located where the de- 
l^ot now stands, for finishing purposes. In 1863 Mr. F. A. Whit- 
ney purchased the entire business. In i <S65 he was requested 
to vacate the position he then occupied, and then arose a i)rob 
lem, difficult to solve, where he should next locate. The water 
prixilege to be obtained upon the tract of land known as "Par- 
adise" settled the question, and accordingly he erected at 0:ice 
the westerly of the present group of buildings. A more desira- 
ble spot could hardly have been chosen. It was conspicuous 
for its natural beauty, and perfectly suited to the growing re- 
quirements of the business whose early history had always been 
attended by uncertainty and discouragement, the losses by fire 
and removals making it seem an unequal struggle. Then the 
difficulty of conveying goods to town arose ; as there was no 
bridge across the stream, it was necessary to carry them by a 
jxith through the woods for nearly a mile. I-'inally Mr. Whit- 
ney petitioned the town to build a bridge. There was much 
opposition by some of the leading citizens, but after a time, 
owing in a great measure to the influence of Mr. Alfred L. 
I'.urditt, chairman of the board of Selectmen, and his associates, 
a bridge was built, which has since been replaced by a substan- 
tial iron structure. Other buildings were erected, and the busi- 
ness grew and increased until, while in the first two or thee 
years five or si.x hundred covered the number of carriages man- 
ufactured, 1.S71 found the sales enlarged to twelve thousand. 
At that time, in order to still better facilitate business, a joint 
company was formed and incorporated known as The \. A. 
Whitney Carriage Company, with F. A. ^Whitney, Fres., F. W. 
Whitney, Treas . William H. Whitney, Supt. of wood and iron 



268 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

department, and S. M. Frost, Sec. and traveling salesman. F. 
A. Whitney, F. W. Whitney, William B. Whitney and S. M. 
Frost were directors and owners of the entire stock. Not a 
season has passed since icS/i without the addition either of 
buildings, lumber sheds, or improvements in labor-saving de- 
vices, to increase production, economize cost and secure the 
best mechanical results. The enterprise has proved remarkably 
successful, furnishing employment to a large number of people 
and contributing greatly to the material prosperity of the town. 
In I.S85 S. M. Frost retired from the business, and F. H. Shaw, 
I. r. Holman, Philip Lothrop and William C. Burdett, employes 
of the company, became stockholders. In 1886 William B. 
Whitney retired, and (leorge W. Foster, formerly of the firm of 
Foster Bros. & Kenney, entered the employ of the company 
and took an interest. A few months ago F. H. Shaw sold his 
interest, leaving the present management as follows ; F. A. 
Whitney, Pres. and Treas. ; William C. Burdett, Sec. ; (ieorge 
W. Foster, traveling salesman ; F. A. Whitney, J. P. Holman, 
P. Lothrop and G. W. P^oster, directors. The company was 
never in a better condition to manufacture than at the present 
time, with one hundred and fifty employes, and shipping goods 
to all parts of the Plnited States, South America and Australia. 

The permanent nature of this business, the value of its 
products, the skill and intelligence required of the workmen, 
unite to make the manufacture of children's carriages, like 
piano making, a most desirable industry. For many years this 
business has been an important working factor in the prosperity 
of Leominster. 

Of the founders of this industry, Mr. F. W. Whitney con- 
tributed for its success marked mechanical and inventive talent ; 
but it was chiefly by the business foresight and energy of Mr. 
F. A. Whitney that the business passed its most critical point, 





J. p. HOLMAN. 



PHILIP LOTHROP. 




F. W. WHITNEY. 





GEORGE W. FOSTER. 



MANUFACTURING. 269 

antl that the foundations were laid for future growth and per- 
manent prosperity. Mr. Whitney, though a native of West- 
minster, has, for all his active manhood, been closely con- 
nected with the industry and religious life of Leominster. The 
buildings he has jDlanned with so much taste and built so tho- 
roughly will remain as a permanent legacy to the town. Mr. 
Whitney has always refused public office. 

The Richardson Carriage Compaw. This firm, also, 
manufactures Children's Carriages. In October, i<S<S6, the 
Compau)' actjuired by purchase the property known as the 
Union Comb Shop and soon after moved a part of their business 
from Boston to Leominster. Their factory was, at the time, 
\erv materially enlarged and fitted up in the most conn)lete 
manner for the prosecution of the business. 

The present season the company have made a second large 
addition to their works. This new building is itself a large and 
well-finished structure, and makes the factory, okl and new, one 
of the most extensive in town. The Richardson Carriage Co. 
is a live, active firm ; they employ many skilled workmen, and 
under the practical and energetic management of Mr. Jackson 
the business is increasing and prosjK'rous. 

A. A. TisnAi.i'. & Co. The business of this company was 
started in the spring of 1^85. The factory is on Mount Pleas- 
ant. Reed goods, children's carriage bodies and all articles of 
this class are manufactured by the company. The members of 
the firm are A. A. and Wilbur Tisdale. 

A. A. Tisdale, son of S. A. Tisdale, is a native of Leomin- 
ster, lie received his commercial education at Comer's Col- 
lege, Boston. For some years he worked for the L^nion Comb 
company, both at comb making and on piano cases, and was a 
member of the firm of S. A. Ti.sdale S( Co., before starting the 
present enterprise. 



270 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Wilbur B. Tisdale, a son of Wm. B. Tisdale, is also a native 
of Leominster. He worked at the eye glass business for sev- 
eral years for Wetherbee & Tisdale, and also for the Whitney 
Carriage Co. 

RATTAN WORKS. 

The Leominster Rattan Works. This is a recent ad- 
dition to the valuable industries of the town, and is mentioned 
in this connection because the rattan forms so important a part 
of the material used in the manufacture of children's carriages. 
The business is conducted on the site where Lawrence 
and Miller manufactured tubs for so many years. The business 
consists of preparing from the rattan in its natural state the 
different kinds of stock used so extensively in making carriage 
bodies, chairs and a great variety of useful and ornamental ar- 
ticles now found in a multitude of homes in this and all coun- 
tries. 

The rattan, in its natural state, is a product of what are 
familiarly called the East Indies, especially the island of Bor- 
neo. It grows in a low, malarious country, and is cut by the 
natives, brought to the coast and exported to this and other 
countries. A new growth springs from the old stump and in- 
creases so rapidly as to extend several hundred feet in a single 
year. The stock in its native state is cov^ered with a husk re- 
sembling that of Indian corn, which must be removed before 
the product is ready for the market. These reeds, cut to dif- 
ferent lengths, are sold to the consumer by the pound. As the 
time required before the product can finally be turned into 
money is unusually long, a large capital is necessarily required 
for the business. The Leominster Rattan Works are under 
the management of Mr. F. S. Coolidge, native of Westminster, 
but for some years a citizen of Leominster, and for several 
years manager of the Boston Chair Manufacturing company. 



MANUFACTURING. 2/1 

Mr. Coolidge thorou<^hly understands the business. The works 
arc bcnig fitted with machinery as fast as the circumstances 
will permit, as many of the machines arc complicated and 
must be built especially for the purpose. 

At the present time the product of the factory is ten bales, 
or one million feet of cane per day. When the machinery is 
all in, it is expected that the annual capacity will be increased 
to thirteen hundred tons, and that the company will do a 
business of half a million dollars, employing seventy-five 
hands. It will well repay anyone to visit this factory and wit- 
ness the process by which the rattan is prepared for the 
market. 

MACHINERY. 

At present there are four firms engaged in the manufacture 
of machinery in Leominster : Gould & Cook, J. A. Stowell, 
John Mather and Austin A. Smith. 

The business was commenced in this town by Thurston 
Richardson in 185c. He worked in a small shop in the rear of 
what, at the time, was Joslin & Adams' comb shop on Union 
street. Mr. Richardson was a very skilful mechanic and es- 
pecially successful in his business. While in Boston, buying 
goods for the Union Comb company, he was accidentally e.\- 
poscd to the "small po.v," of which disease he died, after a 
sickness of little more than a week. 

The business was continued by A. F. Gates, in a shop on 
Central street, and then by Gould & Cook. 

Gould & Cook started business in I.S84, in the shop of A. 
V. Gates, on Central street, and continued there until August 
1st of the present year, when they moved to the shop of A. 
W. Williams, on Water street. These gentlemen arc the in- 
ventors and owners of the Gem Pencil Sharpener, which is 
considered by teachers, who have most occasion to test an ar- 
ticle of this kind, as the simplest and best in the market. 



272 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

C. E. Gould was born in Chelmsford, in 1842, but has had 
his home in Leominster for many years. F. H. Cooke is a na- 
tive of this town, born in 1852, and educated in the public 
schools. They are doing a successful business. 

J. A. Stowell, also engaged in this business, was born at 
Claremont, N. H., and, after receiving a common school educa- 
tion, entered a private school known as the Claremont Acad- 
emy. 

After leaving school he was book-keeper for J. Goodwin & 
Co., flour and grain dealers, and subsequently became a partner 
in the firms of A. Stowell & Co., millers and grain dealers, 
and Richardson & Co., lumber manufacturers, all of Clare- 
mont. 

In 1870, selling out his interests in Claremont, he came to 
Leominster as a partner in the firm of Jacob & Stowell, gro- 
ceries and drugs, but sold out in 1873, and was connected for 
one year with Waldo Whitney & Co., machinists and water 
wheel manufacturers. 

In 1874 -Mr. Stowell purchased the machine business of the 
firm then located on Mechanic street, and has continued the 
business ever since. 

In 1886 he removed to Water street, and occupied the build- 
ings of G. F. & A. G. Moore, 

In addition to the usual jobbing business, the manufacture 
of water wheels, shafting, gearing, hangers and pulleys has 
been undertaken. The manufacture of wood working machinery 
has also received considerable attention. 

Mr. Stowell is a member of the Library Committee. 

John Mather is a native of Bolton, England. At the age 
of 14 he came to this country and learned the machinist's trade 
of P. C. Holmes & Co., Gardner, Maine. In Oct., 1866, he 
removed to Fitch burg and entered the employ of the Putnam 





JOHN MATHER. 



C E. HUDSON. 






4 



% 




C. E GOULD. 



F. H. COOK. 



MANUFACTURING. 273 

Machine company. In 1877 he came to Leominster and, in 
partnershii) with luKvard Nevvitt, carried on the machinery 
business. lie was afterwards alone, and in July, i<S<S6, with 
George \V. Todd, under the firm name of Mather & Todd. 
They purchased the Whitney property, formerly occupied by 
J. A. Stowell. In April, 1888, Mr. Mather bought out his 
partner, and is now sole owner. 

Austin Abbot Smith was born in Leominster Feb. 26, 
1845. His machine shop and residence are on Lindell avenue. 
West Leominster. The shop was built about twenty-four years 
ago. Mr. Smith carries on the business in his own interest, 
and is at present making rattan machinery. He has followed 
model making to some extent, and has also made button and 
comb machinery, dynamos, and does all kinds of repairing. He 
learned his trade at the machine shop of Thurston Richardson, 
now deceased. 

WOOLEN GOODS. 

The woolen business was begun in Leominster as early as 
1800; for in 1 799 we are told that Nichols & Kendall built a 
small mill on the Nashua river for a woolen factory. This the 
next year they rented to J()*ln Taylor, an Englishman, who con- 
tinued to manufacture woolen cloth on a small scale until 18 10, 
when he enlarged his factory and increased his water power, 
continuing this business until 1828, when the property was sold 
to J. Kendall & Son, and by them converted into a paper mill. 
Some little work was done in other places in the way of carding 
wool and finishing cloth, but it is not necessary to mention this 
work here. 

In 1850 Carter, Patch & Cowdrey built the dam and erected 
the first shop on Pond street. James II. Carter rented a part 
of this for a comb shop, and the remainder was used by Somers 
35 



274 LEOMtNStER, HtStORICAL AND PICtURESQUfi, 

& Botchford for the manufacture of horn buttons. In 1853 the 
same parties built another shop on the south side of the stream, 
and rented a part of it to J. C. Lane for the manufacture of 
piano cases. Another part of it was rented to John C. Gove, 
who made piano cases. Mr. Lane was succeeded by Allen 
& Jewett, manufacturers of pianos, and while this firm occupied 
the building it was burned. Li 1864 Messrs. Carter, Patch & 
Cowdrey sold the privilege to Mr. John H. Lockey, and in 1865 
Mr. Lockey sold it to S. S. Crocker, who built a brick four set 
woolen mill, and associated with himself Solon Perry and Frank 
T. Crocker for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods and 
these gentlemen were succeeded in the same business by other 
firms, viz.: Joseph Burroughs, Salem Griggs, Cheney & Griggs 
and Robert Fitton until the property was purchased by E. M. 
Rockwell, November 8, 1876. 

Mr. Rockwell was born in Winsted, Ct., March 27, 1845, and 
is a son of Henry E. Rockwell, who was well known in educa- 
tional circles in this State, and also on account of his long ser- 
vice as official reporter of the U. S. Senate, and afterwards as 
corresponding secretary of the Smithsonian Listitute at Wash- 
ington. Edward M. Rockwell was educated in the High 
School at Millbury, Mass., and later under the personal instruc- 
tion of his father, who was at this period the principal of the 
school. After leaving school he entered the office of a business 
firm in Millbury, and went from there to Boston to learn mer- 
cantile business in the employ of a Boston firm. While in 
Boston the urgent call of the government for volunteers was re- 
sponded to by Mr. Rockwell, and he served the country in dif- 
ferent capacities during the last nine months of the rebellion. 

At the close of the war be entered the office of N. A. Lom- 
bard & Co. of Worcester, manufacturers of woolen machinery, 
remaining there five years, and for the next two years having 



MANUFACTURING. 2/5 

char<j^e of the extensive business of the Cleveland Machine 
Works, Worcester, who also manufacture woolen machinery. 

In 1872 he joined with James Phillips, jr., in forming the 
firm of Rockwell & Phillips, Fitchburg, for the purpose of man- 
ufacturing worsted coatings and suitings, continuing in this 
four years. 

In 1876 he i)urchased the woolen mill on Pond street, 
built by Mr. Crocker and described in the above historical 
sketch, ami commenced the manufacture of woolen cassi- 
meres during the following year. In 1881 he enlarged this 
mill and added very largely to the complement of machinery, 
until it is a complete and well equipped nine set mill. 

Mr. Rockwell was elected a member of the School Board in 
1884, and was at that time chosen its secretary, and w:vs chosen 
chairman in 1887. 

Mr. Rockwell married Miss M. J. Smith of Worcester in 
1867, and has been blessed with si.x children, of whom four are 
now living. 

Leomin.ster Worsted Company. This business was started 
by William Rodger and E. M. Rockwell near the Water street 
crossing in May, 1886. The present mill plant was erected in 
September, 1887. The mill was completed and went into ope- 
ration in Januar)-, 1888. 

William Rooci-.k is a native of Sct)tland, wliere he was 
born Feb. 23, 1856. He has been for several years connected 
with the woolen business. In 1865, he came to this country and 
settled at Schaghticoke, X. \'. He was afterwards for seven 
years designer and superintendent of the Burlington Woolen 
Mills, Winooski. \'t. In 1884 he came to Leominster as super- 
intendent for F. M. Rockwell, where he remained until 1886. 

William II. Chase became interested in the business Sept. 
I, 1887. He was born in North Weare, N. II.. March 18, 1857. 



2/6 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



After leaving school he engaged in the insurance business, and 
Jan. 1, 1880, he accepted the position of overseer in the weav- 
ing department of the Smith and Converse woolen mill in his 
native town. In 1882, he came to Leominster to take a similar 
position in the E. M. Rockwell mill remaining with Mr. Rock- 











well until the establishment of the Leominster Worsted com- 
pany. 

CHAMBER FURNITURE. 

The business of manufacturing chamber furniture, as an in- 
dustry in Leominster, is only a little past its majority. Before 
1865, Mr. Pratt occupied apart of what is now the main building 
of the Reed Toy Co.'s Works, for the manufacture of chestnut 
and walnut chamber furniture. But the business was limited 
and did not become a permanent industry. 

Merriam, Hall & Co. This business was established in 
the spring of 1864 by Samuel Merriam, Geo. Hall and S. C. 
Pickard. The site of the present factory was, at that time, 
marked by a dam, all that remained of an old paper mill. 

The location is well adapted for its present purpose ; there 
is an excellent water power, and it is only a short distance from 



MANUFACTURING. 



2/7 



the frcii;ht station of the [•"itchbur;^ R. R. The main building, 
built by the firm in 1864, is lOO feet by 40 feet. Two wings 
have since been added, 45 by 50 feet and 16 by 25 feet re- 
spectively. These buildings are three stories with basement. 
There is also a large attic, used for storage. The firm thus 
have ample room to accommodate their business and to do the 
work with the greatest economy. 

The further relation of Mr. Merriam to this firm is stated in 
a sketch of his life, printed in another chapter. 

The firm at present consists of Mr. Geo. I lall and his son, 






r;:- 






y- 




Artluir II. Hall. Both these gentlemen have served their time in 
furniture making and are masters of the business. The 
work is strictly confined to the manufacture of chamber suits 
in ash, oak, and cherry. About ninety men find steady em- 
ployment, and more than ten thousand suits are manufac- 
tured annually. This is a model establishment ; the most per 
feet system prevails in every department, while the goods made 
are among the best on the market. 

The firm have recently bought of Mrs. Moses Richardson 
four acres of land adjoining the l-'itchburg railroad, put in a 
side track about 800 feet, and erected a store house 40 by 100 



278 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

feet. This new enterprise adds materially to their business fa- 
cilities. 

Geo. Hall, the senior member of the firm, is one of Leomin- 
ster's most respected citizens and best business men. He was 
born in Mason, N. H., Jan. i, 1831, and in 1852 went to Nashua 
to learn the cabinet making. In 1858 he bought the business 
of the firm for which he worked and continued the same until 
he came to Leominster in 1864. 

Mr. Hall has represented the town at the General Court, 
has been a member of the Water Board from its origin, and 
is a director of the Leominster National Bank and of the 
Safety Fund National Bank of P^itchburg. 

Arthur H. Hall, the junior member of the firm, was edu- 
cated in the public schools, and after that received a thorough, 
practical training. He is an energetic and successful business 
man. 

The Leominster Furxitljre Company. This business 
was established by Blodgett & Bishop in 1865. At first the 
manufacturing was done in the J. C. Lane building, but the 
business was removed in a short time to its present location. 
The factory proper, a three story and basement building, 50 by 
80 feet, was erected by Blodgett & Bishop, who were the first 
to improve the water power on Monoosnock brook, below the 
factory of Lawrence and Miller. In 1871, the firm was changed 
to Bishop & Hogan. After the death of Mr. Bishop, the busi- 
ness was conducted under the firm name of Martin, Bates & 
Co., and in 1879 by A. J. Bates & Co. 

In 1880 the company was incorporated as The Leominster 
Furniture Manufacturing Co., with the following officers : 
President, J. Whitman ; Vice-President, F. L. Tolman ; Treas- 
urer, W. W. Vining ; Secretary, A. J. Bates. Since then there 
has been considerable change in the membership of the cor-^ 



MANUFACTURING. 279 

poration. The following arc the present officers : Pres., Jard 
Whitman ; Sec. and Treas., W. W. X'ining. F. R. Tucker is 
travelling salesman for the company. 

Besides the main building, the corporation own large store 
houses and lumber sheds, ample in size to accommodate the 
demands of the business. The mill is provided with water and 
steam power, and the number of hands engaged is about fifty. 
The product is pine, ash and chestnut furniture of a high grade. 

THE HARWOOD MANUFACTURING CO. 

A business history of the site now occupied by the works 
of this company will be found in the sketch of Major Haws. 
Joseph Cozzens, who bought the property of Mr. Haws, sold to 
Walter Wright, who carried on business there for some years, 
but disposed of the mill to a Mr. Rolf. He did little more than 
pass the property over to its present owners, J. A. Harwood of 
Littleton and Nahum Harwood of Leominster. The business 
was started in iS68 with the manufacture of leather board. In 
time, the making of boot and shoe stiffenings and chair seats 
was added ; and the capacity of the factory was increased, by 
new machinery and buildings from one to three tons per day. 

In i<S.S3, the entire factory was burned ; but the ruins had 
liardly time to cool, before men were at work clearing the ground 
for a new and larger building. This was completed and the 
machinery started Jan. i, 1SS4. The main building is 66 by 
107 feet, three stories and basement. This building is most 
thoroughly constructed and finished in all its parts and ap- 
pliances, and provides fully for the comfort of the workmen. 
Adjoining the main building is the stock house and cutter room, 
35 by 70 feet ; the boiler, engine and bleaching room, 40 by 80 
feet ; and the store house 30 by 90 feet. The works are run 
by combined water and steam power, furnished by three water 



2cSo LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

wheels and a Putman engine of large capacity. . About si.xty 
men are employed, and the works are run twenty-four hours 
each working day. 

This business has been prosperous from the first. It is con- 
ducted with energy and according to the best business methods, 
requires many skilled workmen, and has contributed liberally to 
the prosperity of the town. 

Nahum Harwood, a son of Col. Nahum Harwood, of Lit- 
tleton, was born Sept. 4, 1833, at the old Harwood homestead. 
He received both a common school and academic education 
and learned civil engineering during a service of three years 
with T. & J. Doane, of Boston. To this profession he devoted 
several years in Massachusetts, Maine, and at Omaha, Nebraska. 
Mr. Harwood's first business enterprise was a flour mill at Har- 
vard, Mass. This property was sold and a company formed for 
the 'purpose of manufacturing "leather board." Of this com- 
pany Mr. Harwood was treasurer and active manager until 1868, 
when he formed the business relations above described. 

Mr. Harwood is a director of the Leominster National Bank, 
of the Leominster Gas Light Co., and Vice President of the 
Eastern Associates, a Life Insurance Co. of Boston. He has, 
also, large business interests in California, where he has of late 
spent considerable time. Mr. Harwood has served the town on 
the board of selectmen. He was named as the Democratic 
candidate for representative in 1881 ; three times the same 
party named him for State Senator ; he represented his dis- 
trict in 1876 at the St. Louis Convention, and was the party 
candidate for Presidential Elector in 1880. It is to the credit 
of Mr. Harwood, that in all these contests his vote much ex- 
ceeded that of his ticket and nothing to his discredit that he 
was not elected in a district so strongly Republican. 

In 1858, Mr. Harwood married Miss Sarah J. Mulliken of 



MANUFACTURING. 2Rl 

Chaiicstowii. They have two daughters, the younger is the 
wife of Mr. W. H. Chase of the Leominster Worsted Co. 

AuGi'.srLs L. WiUTNEV, foreman of the Ilarwood Works, 
has been in the employ of the Company for nine years. He 
was born in Harvard, June i8, 1845, is a machinist by trade, 
and was at one time enipl()\ed in the establishment of L. W. 
Pond, of Worcester. ] le remoxed to I"'itchburg, and was asst. 
foreman in the machine works of J. (). Wright. For seven 
years previous to 1879, he made watch tools in the Waltham 
Watch factory. 

MUSICAL MERCHANDISE. 

A. W. CoLBURN & Co. In 1823 Charles and Jonas Colburn 
established the comb business at the house of the latter. When 
the business was still young, it was moved to the site now oc- 
cupied by the factory of A. W. Colburn & Co. 

In 1824 Jonas Colburn bought the interest of his brother, 
and continued alone until 1836. The business was then Col- 
burn & Nichols for one year, and Jonas Colburn again, till 
1845. From this time on, the history is given in the sketch of 
George F. Colburn, town officers. Mr. Jonas Colburn died in 
1873. He was for fifty years a successful comb manufacturer, and 
to the end of life an honored and respected citizen of the town. 

The business of the present firm, the manufacture of j^iano 
and organ sharps, component parts of other musical instru- 
ments, etc., was commenced in Northboro' by H. Brooks & Co. 
In the factory of this company, A. W. Colburn learned the bus- 
iness. From 18S0 to 1885 he was a member of the firm, the 
name being Brook.s & Colburn. In 18S5, Mr. Brooks sold his 
interest to Geo. !•'. Colburn, when the present company was or- 
ganized and the business moved to Leominster in Nov., 1886. 
The factory was burned in March, 1887 ; but Mr. Colburn at 
once began the erection of a larger and more convi;nient build- 
3*3 



282 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



ing, which was completed and occupied in May, i88(S. The 
business gives employment to 28 hands, and is prosperous 
under the present efficient management. 

A. W. Colburn is a native of Leominster. He was educated 
in the public schools and at a commercial college in Boston. 
His business history is included in what is already given. In 
1880 he married Helen Brooks, of Northboro'. 

A sketch of Mr. Geo. F. Colburn is given with the other 
town officers. 

CHH.D REN'S TOYS. 

The \V. S. Reed Tov Company. For several years the 
manufacture of toys has been a prominent and important in- 
dustry in Leominster. The business was established by the 




senior member of the present company, Mr. AV. .S. Reed, in 
1874. In that year the New Ivigland Toy comp.my began the 
m:inufacture of children's blocks. This company consisted of 
F. A. Whitney, \V. S. Reed and Seymour Lyman, Mr. Lyman 
acting as president and manager. After about a year and a 
half, this business was discontinued, and in July, 1876, Mr. 
Reed started alone in the general business of making toys. At 
first he manufactured several novelties of his own invention, 
and soon built up a large and prosperous business. In 1879 




WM. S. REED 



CHAKLtb 1: LHt-.SbhK. 



MANUFACTURING. 2.S3 

he purchased the Lane & Prcscott shop on Summer street, and 
the following year, still further increased the capacity of his 
factory by building the present brick factory, used by the com- 
pany. The business was conducted by Mr. Reed alone until 
1 88 1, when, in order to facilitate the work, a stock com]:)any 
was organized with the above name, \V. S. Reed president, and 
C. K. Dresser treasurer. 

This company manufactures toys, novelties and games of 
every description, as well as many articles of more permanent 
utility. Many of the goods of this firm have an extensive sale, 
both at home and abroad. 

Messrs. Reed & Dresser, also, compose the United States 
Mailing Case company, which is of more recent origin. They 
are the sole agents and manufacturers of the only patent liquid 
mailing case approved by the Postmaster General. The manu- 
facture of these goods was begun in Sept., 1886. The case is 
made of wood, lined with cork, and has a tight fitting screw 
lid with rubber cushion, and accommodates a glass bottle, in 
which the liquid to be transmitted is placed. The cases are 
made in all sizes to meet the demands of consumers. This 
trade is likely to continue, as it is now, an important industry. 
The company is fully equipped for their business in all its de- 
partments, and has a large domestic and foreign trade. The 
manufacturing plant consists of the buildings already named, is 
equipped with machinery especially designed for the ends, and 
supplied with ample power. This corporation is among the 
active, energetic and prosperous business concerns of Leo- 
minster. 

The president of the company, Mr. \V. S. Reed, was born 
in Sterling, July 7, 1846. When he came to Leominster he 
was first in the employ of F. A. Whitney's Carriage company 
for three years, and then began business as above stated. 



284 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

C. E. Dressef was born Oct. 22, 1854, in Stockbridge, Mass., 
but received his education in Lee and graduated from the High 
School of that place. After learning the drug business in his 
native town, Mr. Dresser came to Leominster in 1875 ^"^1 
bought of A. A. Burdett of Clinton the drug store in Fosters' 
block. The various changes in the drug business from 1875 to 
1 88 1 left Mr. Dresser in 1880-81 the oldest druggist in town. 

In 1 88 1 Mr. Dresser sold his store to E. E. Burdett, who 
had been in his employ for the previous four years, and together 
with W. S. Reed, formed the corporation known as the W. S. 
Reed Toy Company, and has since given his time to the varied 
interests of that concern. 

The connection of Mr. Dresser with the Leominster Shirt 
company will be stated under that head. 

THE MANUFACTURE OF WHITE SHIRTS. 

This business is a late comer in Leominster, but it has 
already attained most ample proportions and promises to make 
the name of the town familiar wherevA" good shirts are in de- 
mand. 

In Sept., 1880, G. F. Morse & Co. began to prepare one of 
the rooms in their block on Water street for the manufacture 
of white shirts, a business at the time foreign to the general 
thought and knowledge of Leominster. They went so far as 
to purchase a few machines and a small amount of cotton. Be- 
fore the work of manufacturing was actually begun, however, it 
was sold to C. E. Dresser and D. C. Nickerson. Soon after, 
F. A. Whitney became a member of the firm. Mr. Geo. A. 
Gane, of Fitchburg, who, at the time, was favorably known as 
a skilful maker of custom shirts, was invited to take charge of 
the new enterprise. This was the origin of the business of the 

Leominster Shirt Company. The original owners con 




E. A. BUFFINTON. 



MANUFACTURING. 2^5 

tinned the business until May, iS8i, when it was sold to IC. A. 
Buffinton of Detroit. Mr. l^uffinton, before he came to Leom- 
inster, had been superintendent of alarge shoe factory in Detroit, 
and knew noticing whatever of the shirt business. But he pos- 
sessed business ability and energy, which in this case sufficed 
until the knowledge could be acquired. He began with twenty 
machines and occupied only one half the second floor in Morse's 
brick block on Water street. The business increased under 
his energetic management, and the second year he added a 
laundry, and soon occupied two floors in this building and ex- 
tended his works to take in one floor of the next block. Here 
Mr. Buffinton remained five years, when he was forced to move, 
as the possible room would not accommodate his business. 

In this year, 1886, Mr. A. W. Williams built a large and 
convenient factory for the company, which, with an addition 
since made, they now occupy. 

In 1883, Mr. Charles Nickerson became interested in the 
business, but in less than a year was compelled to sell his in- 
terest and move to California for his health. 

In 1884, Mr. Buffinton made arrangements with Ellen C. 
Johnson, Supt. of the Women's Reformatory Prison at Sher- 
born, to manufacture shirts for them. This contract has been 
continued until the present time. 

In 1 886, to accommodate the steadily increasing trade, Mr. 
Buffinton located a branch factory in Provincetown, Mass., 
where the company are operating what is known as the I'uritan 
Shirt Co. 

In April, 1SS6, Mr. C. C. l-'oster became associated with 
Mr. Buffinton in this business, and in 1887 they began to sell 
the goods made by the Bay State Shirt company, as stated in 
the account which follows. Mr. Buffinton is actively inter- 
ested in political matters, was an alternate delegate to the 



286 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

convention which nominated Gen. Harrison, and is now a 
member of the Republican State Central Committee. 

Charles C. Foster was born at Norway, Maine, Dec. 7, 1846. 
At the age of 20, he began teaching in the public schools of 
Chicopee, Mass., and continued the same at two different times 
for about 12 years. In the meantime he was engaged with his 
brother in the boot and shoe business in Leominster for about 
four years, from 1873 to 1877. In 1882 he engaged in the gro- 
cery business with his brother and Clarence Kenney, under the 
firm name of Foster Bros. & Kenney. Retiring from business 
in the latter part of 1885, he became connected with the Leom- 
inster Shirt company, as already stated. Mr. Foster is a mem- 
ber of both Library and School Committee. 

The Wachusett Shirt Company originated about a year 
later. After Mr. Gane left the employ of Mr. E. A. Buffinton 
he began the manufacture of shirts on his own account in a 
small room in Paton's Block, over the People's Market, as it is 
now called. At that time he had only eight machines running, 
but the present name was used from the start. This was in 
Jan, 1882. In July of the same year, Mr. F. A. Whitney 
took part in the business, which was removed to the shop of 
W. D. Earl & Co., and later to the upper story of the building 
belonging to the Whitney Carriage Co., which stands just over 
the bridge to the left on Water street. The business soon ex- 
tended to the lower floor, which was used as a cutting room. 
In a brief time still more room was demanded for convenience 
and profit, and Mr. Wliitney made an addition, 64 feet long and 
35 wide, and three stories high. The changes and addition to 
the buildings w'ere planned by Mr. Whitney himself, and the 
rooms were dedicated Dec. 5, 1885. The main building is now 
128 feet long and 35 feet wide ; the front projection is 30 x 20 
feet. The rooms are planned with the greatest care for the 



MANUFACTURING. 



287 



l^r^^- 


: f E £'1 1 i 


IKe e f . 


I^^^BfeBs^!^- ''^^^^^v- 



W ACIIUSETT SIIIKT C(J. S lACTOKV NO. I. 







4< k( 




I f Ii!g2^|-Ilj 




WAcn'^iir -iiiia ( (). s I- AC roKV n<> . 



288 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

comfort of the employes, and every convenience for ease and 
rapidity in manufacturing the goods intended. 

In June, 1886, Mr. Whitney determined to build a new fac- 
tory for the still further increase and accommodation of the bus- 
iness. It is of brick, finely finished and furnished throughout. 
The building is four stories high in the main part and 136 feet 
long by 35 feet wide. The engine and boiler house is in the 
rear of this part and is 26 feet by 40 ; it contains one of the 
finest engines in town. In this building the rooms face the 
South, are light, airy and pleasant. Nothing is lacking, 
which could make work healthy and comfortable. The upper 
floor is used for storing goods. The principal building has a 
front projection, 24 by 33 feet. Here on the first floor is the 
business and a private office for consultation. On the same floor 
is a room fitted up for use in case any of the operatives should 
be sick or meet with an accident. In addition, there are 
over the ofiice, rooms for folding, packing, etc. 

The means for extinguishing fire and the sanitary arrange- 
ments are as perfect as they could possibly be made. In 
deed, whatever Mr. Whitney undertakes, he may be trusted to 
finish in the most complete and thorough manner. Every 
room in these buildings speaks of comfort and convenience 
It would be hard to find a Company anywhere, more completely 
provided with all the facilities for doing a large and prosperous 
business. George A. Gane is the manager of this company. 

Mr. Gane was born in Quebec, but the family moved to 
Island Pond, Vt., when he was about 5 years old. He was 
therefore educated in the Public Schools of that State, and 
made his home there until 1869, when he moved to Waltham, 
Mass. In Waltham Mr. Gane was for a time employed as 
book-keeper and later was connected with the dry and fancy 
goods business ; but for th^ last part of the tinie he was Qn-- 




GEORGE A. GANE. 



MANUFACTURING. 289 

i;aj3^cd in making custom shirts. This business he moved to 
Fitchburg in the autumn of 1S77 and was prosecuting the same 
with much skill and energy when he was invited to Leominster 
as stated above. Mr. Gane is an energetic and successful man- 
ager, has a thorough knowledge of the business, and is an ex- 
cellent citizen. 

The Bay Statk Shirt Company was organized in Oct. 
1885, by Mr. A. G. Morse of Leominster, and George H. Priest 
of Sterling. It was in part a business removed to Leominster 
from Oakdale, Mass. After a brief time Mr. Priest withdrew 
from the Company. Mr. A. G. Morse, a sketch of whose life 
is found in the history of the Morse family, has been the treas- 
urer and manager of the company from the start. This busi- 
ness has been twice enlargeil- The goods are all sold by the 
Leominster .Shirt Coni[)any. 

LUMHLK, DOORS, SASH AND BLLNDS. 

Tenxey & Kenxey, — The lumber business of Stratton 
Brothers passed into the hands of Mr. Joseph G. Tenney, who 
in 1S74 associated with himself Capt. Clesson Kenney, under 
the firm name of Tenney & Kenney. Mr. Tenney has not 
given personal attention to the business since 1S79. The firm 
do an extensive business in furnishing house frames, and in 
manufacturing all miscellaneous material used in buiUling. 

A sketch of Mr. Tenney has already been given. 

Capt. Cle.sson Kenney was horn in Leominster Miiy 31, 1839, 
and was educated in the public schools and graduated from the 
high school. He enlisted as a private in Company D., M. V 
M., Sept. 2, 1862, and, while in the field, was promoted to sec 
ond sergeant, Dec. i, 1862, and to second lieutenant June 15 
1863. Mr. Kenney was chosen captain of (.'<>. K . M. \' M. 
in 1873, and served the state in that capacity four years. Mr 

37 



290 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Kenney has been a trustee of the Leominster Savings Bank 
for the past four years. 

APPLE PARKRS. 

This business has no closer connection with the "Apple 
Parer" business of Lockey & Rowland already named, than 
this : Mr. F. W. Hudson who started the present concern, was, 
at one time, an employe of that firm. But when Mr. Hudson 
started he did so under his own patents. He began in Fitch- 
burg but soon moved to Leominster into the building now 
owned by John Mather. P^rom there the business went to the 
basement of the old Lockey Piano Shop ; then to a building 
near the tub shop of Miller & Lawrence ; from there to a shop 
near the Water Street bridge, and which is now in use by 
Whitney & Co., as a box shop. When that shop was moved, 
Mr. Hudson moved to the present factory, which is admirably 
suited to the needs of the business, giving ample room for man- 
ufacturing, storing and shipping the goods. 

C. E. HuDsox now carries on this business, having bought 
it of his father some years since. The business is healthy and 
prosperous ; the management careful and energetic. The 
product of the factory is about fifty thousand machines annu- 
ally. Mr. Hudson was born in Leominster, June 12, 1856. He 
was engaged in the button business for three years in Jersey 
City, when he returned to Leominster and engaged in business 
with his father. Mr. F. W. Hudson retired from the firm in 
1 88 1, and, with the exception of one year, when E. C. Williams 
had an interest, Mr.. Hudson has been sole proprietor. 

PAPER BOX MANUFACTURING. 

This business is conducted by three firms, Mrs. E. F. Dodge, 
C. P. Green, and G. L. Chase. This industry is closely con- 
nected with comb making, and at different times as the needs 
of the trade demand, employs a large number of hands. Every 



MANUFACTURING. 29I 

variety of paper box is made, and in these the different kinds of 
goods are elegantly presented in market. 

Whitney & Co. have lately established a new enterprise in 
this line. With machinery specially made for the purpose they 
make every style and description of folding paper bo.\. These 
boxes are adapted to a great variety of purposes, and a visit to 
the factory would be well worth the time. 

ROLLER DESKS. 

Union Desk Company. — This very desirable industry was 
brought to Leominster from Boston in March, 1887. At that 
time the company purchased the Symonds Pavilion on Monu- 
ment square, at once made such changes in the building as the 
business demanded and put in tlie required machinery. The 
members of the firm are A. B. and A. F. Curtis and William 
F. Smith. Mr. Smith is a native of Leominster. The busi- 
ness of the company is confined to making roller desks and 
library tables of different kinds. The work done at this factory 
is excellent, and under the present management the business is 
likely to increase, both in amount and importance. 

ENAMEL WORKS. 

Sun Ena.mi.i. W'ork.s. Aldrich Cook, proprietor. This in- 
teresting business includes every description of enamelled 
goods, such as enamelled jewelry, jet and shell goods, organ 
stops, knobs, jewelry ornaments, handles and rubber stamps, 
truss pads, pen holders, druggists' glass ware supplies, wood 
buttons, whip sockets and novelties of every description. All 
kinds of japanning is done at this factory also, and the goods 
are sent to all parts of the country. The number of hands 
employed varies with the demands of the market. Mr. Cook 
gives personal attention to the work, and the goods rank high 
as to design and finish. 



292 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

A sketch of Mr. Cook may be found among the past com- 
manders of Post 53, G. A. R. 

LEATHER TRUNK HANDLES. 

This industry was first estabHshed in Boston, Jan. i, 1884, 
by Henry A. Stone, who transferred the business to South 
Framingham Jan. i, 1886, and in March, 1886, sold to George 
E. Norris. In August, 1886, the business was bought by Mr. 
C. W. Stratton and removed to its present location in Leomin- 
ster. Mr. Stratton was for several years a travelling salesman, 
and was also a mechanic. He was born October 8, 1847 in 
Leominster and has resided here most of the time since. 

WILCOX PEN. 

The Wilcox Fountain Pen Co. This pen, which was 
invented and patented by J. T. Wilcox, promises to meet a 
demand for a low-priced and reliable fountain pen. A. W. Wil- 
liams is president and J. T. Wilcox secretary and treasurer of 
the company. The company expect to have the goods ready 
for market in a few weeks. The manufacturing will be done in 
a part of A. W. Williams' comb shop. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 
Leominster Gas Light Co. This company was organized 
in 1873, and began to furnish gas Oct. i of the same year. 
Until 1879 the gas was made from coal and the works were un- 
der the direction of Merrick Howe as superintendent, but in 
that year the company changed their machinery so as to make 
gas from crude petroleum by the Hanlon process. The works 
were then leased to H. M. Lane, who has continued to manage 
the business until the present time. The price of gas has late- 
ly been materially reduced. The gas furnished is of excellent 
quality, full 28 candle power. The capital stock was at first 
^30,000, but in 1877 this was increased to $50,000, upon which 



MANUFACTURIXG. 293 

the coiiii^any at the present time arc i)a)iii[; an annual dividend 
of five per centum. The present officers are : C. L. Joslin, pres- 
ident ; M. Howe, treasurer ; H. ]\I. Lane, secretary ; C. L. Joslin 
Geo. V. Morse, and H. M. Lane, directors. 

Leominster Electric Light Co. This company was 
organized last June. The directors arc : A. L. Burditt, E. A. 
Buffinton, E. F. Blodgett, Dr. C. A. Wheeler, and J. S. An- 
tlionv ; VI. A. Buffinton, pres., and A. L. Burditt, Sec. Of 
these directors Mr. J. S. Anthony is of the firm of Valpey & 
Anthony who were a part of the syndicate who purchased the 
Franchise for Lynn of the first local Electric Lighting Plant of 
the now well known Thompson & Houston System, and were 
among the few who had the pluck to buy up the entire property 
of the parent company, then lying practically dormant at New 
Brittain, Conn. They are both still interested in this famous 
company which has become the largest as well as the best and 
most prominent Electric Lighting Company in the world. 
They are also connected with the Leominster P21ectric 
Railway Company, now being pushed forward in this town. 
Mr. Anthony being one of the directors. They have also just 
added an Electric Light Plant of one hundred and fifty lights 
to their own factory here, and are both thorough believers in 
the possibilities of Electricity, and all that is in any way pro- 
gressive. The company is alive and active and will, no doubt, 
soon furnish Leominster with IClectric Lights. They have 
bought land of Valpey & Anthony and are now at work on the 
necessary buildings. Associated with the Electric Light Com- 
pany, so far as to depend on it for power, is tlu' Leominster 
Street Railway Co. This company, to the stock of which many 
leading business men and citi/.ens have subscribed, propose to 
open a street Railway through some of the principal streets of 
the town. 

Some other industries should be mentioned in this chapter, 



294 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

although they do not come fully under the head of manufac- 
turing. 

N. C. Boutelle, who was a member of the firm of Merriam, 
Hall & Co., from 1867 to 1879, has just built a large furnishing 
shop to accommodate the wholesale and retail trade of his 
Boston store. 

Wm. P. Hoffnagle is proprietor of the Leominster Steam 
Laundry in C. H. Colburn's block. 

C. W. Durant is a manufacturer as well as dealer in car- 
riages. He, also, carries on a general business as a wheelright. 
and blacksmith. The other blacksmiths, Charles Welcome, 
Samuel Arnold, Haley & Lane and C. M. Gould, at the center, 
and L. Archibald at North Leominster, are doing more or less 
manufacturing in the line of their trade. Carlos Shepard does 
work in carriage making in a shop off Mechanic street. Albert 
LaPointe carries on the wheelwright, carriage making and re- 
pairing business in a shop in Mechanics' Lane. O. H. 
McKenney works at upholstering and is also a harness maker, 
J. W. Winch is classed as a harness maker and makes and re- 
pairs these goods. Waldo Whitney still manufactures the 
"Turbine Water Wheel" but the work is done out of town. 
Leonard E. Osborn is a manufacturer of brick. His brickyard 
is on Elm street, opposite Birch, with residence adjoining. 
The business prospects of Leominster are excellent. The 
variety and nature of her industries are such as to promise con- 
stant employment for her citizens, while the natural beauty of 
the place, its well kept condition, its social, educational and 
religious advantages make it most a desirable place for a home. 

It may not be improper to add that the pictures of several 
gentlemen whose business is described in this chapter, are 
found in other parts of this book. Those of Mr. Rockwell and 
Mr. Foster are with the School Committee, that of Mr. G. F. 
Colburn with the town ofificers. Mr. Geo. Hall, who should 



MANUFACTURING. 295 

have been mentioned as a trustee of the Leominster Savings 
liank, and not a director of the National Bank, is with the 
trustees of that institution. 

In this chapter all statements touching the amount of the 
business of any firm, are made on the authority of some mem- 
ber of that firm. 



296 



LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



CtiAPTKR XIII. 




R 



E V . Francis Gardner, 
the second minister of 
the First Congregational 
Church in Leominster, was 
a son of Rev. John Gard- 
ner, of Stowe, Mass., who 
was a descendent of Rich- 
ard Gardner, who came from England and settled in Woburn, 
in 1642. Rev. Francis Gardner married Sarah, daughter of 
John Gibson, of Lunenburg. The family of Gibson are men- 
tioned in the history of Worcester County, page 446, Vol. i, 
among the early settlers of Fitchburg, on Pearl Hill, when the 
Indians were in that vicinity. Stephen Shepley, Esq., says in a 
paper which was carefully written by him on the subject : "On 
the southwesterly slope of the hill, the Gibsons lived, good 
fighting men, famous for their great strength and courage. 
The house of Isaac Gibson was fortified, and called Fort Gib- 
son. It is said that the Indians, after carefully watching these 
hardy, athletic men, did not dare to attack them." 

The mother of Sarah Gibson was Elizabeth, daughter of 
Judge Hartwell of Lunenburg. In a genealogy of the Hart- 
well family, lately published, he is mentioned on page 48 : 




D. W. SALISBURY. 



MANUFACTURING. 297 

"lulwartl llartwcU, born 1689, died 1785 : suklicr in 1707-8; 
Major in 1745, Jud<;e of Common Pleas, 1750-62, Representa- 
ti\c in the General Court until ])ast 80 years of a^c ; member 
of Committees of Safety in 1773-6. Jud<;e Hart well was a man 
of git^antic size and strength, a strong mind, great force of 
character, especially fitted for a leader in the troublous times of 
the new settlement, — ^altogether he was one of the most con- 
spicuous jiersons of the region and time in which he li\ed." 

Rev. l"'rancis Gardner had a large family of children, sev- 
eral of whom lived in Leominster and are buried in the old 
burying ground of the town. His eldest son, John Gardner, 
i)assed his life in Leominster, dying at the age of 88 ; his eld- 
st son, John, went into business in Boston, was highly es- 
teemed and filled with great ability an imjmrtant financial office 
in a large manufacturing corporation. He left no sons. John 
Gardner's second son, Francis, was a merchant in Boston, re- 
sided in Roxbury, and had three sons, the only descendants (»f 
Rev. Francis (iardner, wlio bear his name. 

The other son of Rex'. Francis Gardner, named Francis, 
was a prominent lawyer in W'alpole, N. H., and was sent to 
Congress from there in 18Q7-8 ; he afterwards removed to Bos- 
ton and died in 1835. This son, also named Francis, was for 
many years principal of the Boston Latin School and a very 
distinguished classical scholar. He died unmarried. 

Nancy, the youngest daughter of Rev. Francis Gardner, 
married Samuel Salisbur\'^, an old time Boston merchant, and 
two (if her children, Daniel Waldo and Rebecca Salisbury, are 
the only descendants of Rev. Francis Gardner, who reside in 
LctMiiinster at this time. The}- live on the site of the old jiar- 
-onage, which, together with the farm which belonged to it, 
came into the possession of the Salisbury family. Mr. Salis- 
bury has since added to the original farm, purchases in various 
parts of Leominster, which make it nearly 400 acres. 

3$ 



298 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Ward M. Cotton was a lineal descendant of John Cotton, 
the learned Puritan minister, and was born in Boylston, March 
II, 1804. He had been in business but a short time in Lancas- 
ter, Mass., when he came to Leominster in 1829, and here was 
engaged for many years in the manufacture of comb ma- 
chinery and tools. He was deacon and treasurer in the First 
Congregational Society for more than thirty years, and secre- 
tary of the Northeast District Temperance Union for twenty- 
five years, which office he held at the time of his death. He 
was at one time captain of the famous old artillery company 
belonging to this town. He died May 22, 1875, aged 71 years. 
Luke Lincoln was a son of William Lincoln, and a native of 
Leominster. He was a harness maker by trade, and worked 
for some time with a Mr. Gay, of the firm of Lincoln & Gay, 
in a building which stood between the present Allen's block and 
Bosworth & Brush's store. He afterwards purchased a resi- 
dence on Main street, where, for several years he continued in 
the harness business. Later on he moved on a farm, where he 
spent the rest of his days. Mr. Lincoln served the town in 
places of responsibility and trust, holding the office of Town 
Clerk from Dec. 16, 1837, until March 3, 1845. He died Aug. 
22, 1870, aged 69 years, 6 months and 10 days. 

Major Seneca Colburn was, in his younger days, deeply in- 
terested in military and other public affairs, having been cap- 
tain of the Old Artillery company for many years, and after- 
ward receiving a major's commission. He several times served 
the town on its Board of Selectmen, and was among the active 
pioneers in the comb industry, carrying on business in what is 
known as the W. D. Somers' place on Central street. He mar- 
ried, for his first wife. Miss Sally Lincoln, sister of the vener- 
able Timothy Lincoln, by whom he leaves four daughters, Mrs. 
Thomas Tenney, Mrs. Luke Tenney, Mrs. Joseph P. Lockey 




CHARLES HILLS 







.^^^^^^^Bi ' ^^ 


^f^w^ 




MAJ. SENECA COLBURN- Capt. OAVID ALLEN. 



CHARLES GROUT. 



MANUFACTURING. 3OI 

of the first machinery used there for j^aper makiiif^. Removing 
to Newton, Mass., he, for several years held a similar situation 
in the paper mills there. 

Mr, Kinsman afterwards engaged in civil engineering, and 
assisted in laying out the Boston & Lowell railroad. Me 
remained in this business until his health failed, when he re- 
turned to Fitchburg, and remained a few years. lie then re- 
moved to North Leominster, where he spent the remainder of 
his life, acquiring a considerable amount of land, which he cul- 
tivated ; he also engaged in carpentering to some extent. He 
died at his home in North Leominster Jan. 22, 1884. 

Mr. Kinsman was a quiet, unassuming man and persevering 
in his business affairs, was much interested in the welfare 
of the church and community and much attached to his 
home. He was twice married — first to Mary P., daughter 
of Capt. David Allen ; their children were George, who died, 
and Louise, who married A. II. Lawrence. His second wife 
was Helen D., also a daughter of Capt. Allen ; their children 
were Frank L., now an electrician in New York city, and Ar- 
thur M., who chose civil engineering as a business, and is now 
engaged in division engineering on railroads in Illinois. 

Jacob Puffer was born in Ashby, Mass. He came to Leo- 
minster at an early age and served an apprenticeship with Bezaleel 
Gibson,andafterwards went into business at the old tavern stand, 
on the corner of Exchange and West Sts. Later on, he gave up 
manufacturing combs and vent into the wholesale peddling busi- 
ness. Subsequently, he went to Boston, and was salesman for 
different firms in that city. The later years of his life he spent 
in Leominster, and with his son Charles, carried on business 
under the firm name of J. Puffer & Co., horn dealers. Mr. 
Puffer was a staunch temperance man and an honest advocate 
of the anti-slavery cause. ]^c died .April ]fi, i8Sn, ageil 7S. 



302 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

Bartimus Tennev, the second son of Major Joseph Tenney, 
was born in Leominster Sept. 8, 1802, and died July 5, 1853. 
He was a shoemaker by trade and spent the whole of his life 
in North Leominster. He married Thirza Tyler, and their only 
surviving daughter, Thirza A., resides at the old homestead in 
North Leominster. 

Barney S. Phelps was born in Milton, Mass., March 28, 
1 8 19. At an early age he commenced the manufacture of lum- 
ber in Lancaster. He also engaged in the business of making 
marbleized paper for bookbinders' use at the same time. In 
1873 he came to Leominster, where he continued in the lumber 
bnsiness until the time of his death, November 4, 1880. Mr. 
Phelps served his native town in the ofifice of Selectman, and 
was a prominent business man both in that town and Leomin- 
ster. 

Porter M. Kimball was a native of Mt. Vernon, N. H., 
came to Leominster from Fitchburg when he was a boy, and 
engaged in the business of keeping a country store. This bus- 
iness he continued for some time, until he began the manufac- 
ture of combs in company with F. P. Shumway, in the building 
near the bridge, on Mechanic street, where Porter & Tenney 
are now located. The firm afterwards manufactured agricultural 
implements, building and occupying what was known as the 
" Fork Factory." This was the last business in which Mr. 
Kimball engaged. He was but thirty-two years of age at the 
time of his death, which occurred June 14, 1866. Mr. Kimball 
was a young man of great promise, respected and esteemed by 
a large circle of friends. His wife, who was the daughter of 
Dea. \Vm. Burrage, died about three years before her husband, 
leaving one child, an infant son. who surv^ived her but a short 
time. 

Dr. Daniel Farrar, son of Daniel W. and Betsey P^arrar, of 



MAXUFACTURIN'G, 



Troy, N. II., was l)orn in that town May 29, 1.S36. After ac- 
quiriii";- a very good academic education, he turned his attention 
to the stud)- of medicine. I le prosecuted liis medical studies 
systematically and thoroughly, and graduated from the Harvard 
Medical College in the spring of 1862. While he was careful 
to fit himself for general practice he had a special love for sur- 
gery, antl in order to [)erfect himself ii"> this branch, spent the 
summer of 1S61 with the late J. Mason Warren, of Boston, 
to get the benefit of instruction from that distinguished sur- 
geon. Soon after graduating. Dr. Farrar was appointed assis- 
tant surgeon to one of the N. 1 1, regiments. Returning, he 
practiced his profession in his native town. In the spring of 
1866 he removetl to Leominster, where he soon established an 
honorable reputation and gained an extensive practice. His 
death occurred June 3, 1875. 

Hknrv Sti:.\k\s was a native of Leominster. He pursued 
various occupations, at one time being engaged in the coal busi- 
ness ; but for the last twenty years of his life he was in the 
heaw jobbing and teaming business. His death, which oc- 
curred Jan. 14, 1882, was the result of an accident He was 
thrown from a carriage and sustained fracture of a thigh. Re- 
covery from this injury, however, seemed probable, when heart 
disease supervened, from which the patient died. I-Y-w men 
would have been more generally missed than Mr. Stearns. He 
was active and stirring, and things had to move when he was 
round, and if anyone wanted a job of moving done or any kind 
of work that required skill and judgement, there was no man 
in town who coukl engineer it better than he. 

Ai.HKRT Lamb, a native of Maine, was born in Oct., 1808, 
and died August 7th, 1885. When two years of age his parents 
moved to Hubbardston, Mass., where he lived with his father 
until he was 21 years of age, working in a saw mill nearly all the 



304 LEOMINSTER, HISTOKICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

time. After working at Concord, Mass., one year, he came to 
Leominster and engaged in the mill business with his brother, 
Carter Lamb. For a number of years they owned the mill 
property known as the Stratton Mills, occupied by Tenney & 
Kenney. He also owned the estate on West street, where 
S. S. Crocker now lives, and afterwards bought and occupied 
the homestead on Main street, and so attached to this home did 
he become that he promptly refused all offers to sell. It will 
be remembered that Mr. Lamb was for many years a great suf- 
ferer from rheumatism, but was, in spite of it an an active, hard 
working man, and is missed by many in town, particularly the 
older citizens. 

CoL. Hervey D. Look was born in Conway, Mass., Sept. 
7, 1812. He was for several years engaged with his two bro- 
thers, Joseph A. and Dwight B., in the manufacture of horn 
combs in that town, and, after coming to Leominster, was in 
the same business together with them and William Tilton, in 
the firm of Look, Tilton & Co. 

After about a year, Col. Look withdrew from the firm and 
was associated with his son Charles E., and in business with 
other parties. 

At the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 8, 1879, he 
was a member of the firm of H. D. Look & Co., comb manu- 
facturers. He went to New \'ork to transact business for the 
firm, and while there, stopping at a hotel, was stricken with 
paralysis. He recovered sufficiently to allow of his being 
brought home, but did not rally from the shock. 

Col. Look was married to Althana Munson, of Whately. 
They have one son, Charles E., already referred to, who married 
Margaret Stilphen ; and one daughter, Nellie S., the wife of 
Rev. Horace Parker, of Lunenburg. 

Joseph A. Look, brother of Col. H. D. and Dwight B, 




Ai^ 




Col. h. d. look. 



JOSEPH LOOK. 



K-i^^ ¥ 



» ■'■ "^ I 





OR. SEWELL RICHARDSON. 



Capt. ER. BALCH. 



MANUFACTURING. 305 

Look, was also a native oT Conway, Mass., wIktc he was born 
Ai)ril 22, i.SiiS. Durini;- the i)rincipal pait of his life he was in 
business witli liis bi others, as has l)een stated, but was asso- 
ciated for the greater length of time with Col. Look. He was 
married to Elvira T. Risley, of (iill, Mass. Their two sons, 
George H. and William A., are both residents of Leominster. 
During his life here Mr. Look was an active worker in the Or- 
thodox Congregational Church, of wliich he was a valued mem- 
ber, iiis genial qualities also making his influence felt in the 
community. He died June 6, 1871. 

Dr. Skwall RiciiARnsox, the )oungest of ten children of 
Lieut. Luke Richardson, was born in the house called " The 
Lealand," more recently *' The Old Abbey," from its fancied 
resemblance to that in a story, Aug. 15, 1734, married 1758 
Damaris Carter. They lived and died on what is known as the 
" Marsh Farm," on the road to Fitchburg. Iheir youngest son 
Sewall was born July 30, 17CS4, married first April 9, 181 5, Abi- 
gail Kendall, born June 4, 178^, only daughter of John Ken- 
dall, Sr., of Leominster, whose native place was Woburn. Her 
mother was Rebecca Hills of Leominster. She, Abigail, died 
Sept. 18, 1853, aged 35. Second, April 25, 1831, Mary Cutler, 
born Feb. 22, 1801, daughter of Jacob Cutler, of W'endall, 
Mass., a very estimable lady. She died May 10, 1842. Dr. 
Sewall Richardson lived in his native Leominster. He was 
very active in his habits, was fond of the dance und took a 
lively interest in military matters. He was genial in his nature, 
of a hopeful temperament, never looking on the dark side, re- 
markably cheerful and trustful in his feelings. An ardent lover 
of nature, he enjoyed almost, if not quite perfect, health till the 
day previous to his death, which was caused by falling down 
stairs, rendering him unconscious tor twenty lour hours. He 
died Jan. 20, 1S67. 

30 



306 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

His children by his first wife Abigail were : Clarissa Ken- 
dall, born Aug. 27, 1816, who married Charles H. Colburn ; 
Abigail Rebecca, born July 2, 1820, who married, first, Daniel 
Rundlett Haines, born in Greenland, N. H., 1821, and for many 
years in the piano-forte business in Leominister and a promi- 
nent citizen. Her second marriage was with Col. Ivers Phil- 
lips, Jan. 19, 1869, who was born in Ashburnham, Mass., July 
28, 1805. Col. Phillips was for many years connected with 
large manufacturing and other business interests in Fitchburg, 
as well as important railroad interests in Worcester county and 
in the West. In 1873 he removed to Colorado, and after spend- 
ing the greater part of nine years in travel, he built a substan- 
tial residence of the Rocky Mt. sandstone in Boulder, and set- 
tled down probably for the remainder of his life. 

Capj'. ]iR. Balch came to Leominster at the age of 18, and 
for a short time was engaged in the comb business with Abel 
Bovvers. He afterwards took the old tavern which stood on the 
corner of West and Exchange streets, remaining for some time, 
when he moved to the centre of the town and kept hotel there 
for over thirty years. The rest of his days were spent on the 
Dr. Pierce place where he died in 1853. Capt. Balch was quite 
a politician, being an ardent Whig, while that party was in the 
ascendancy. When the first bank in Fitchburg was started, 
considerable sums of their money were entrusted to him to be 
put in circulation in Leominster. He received his title of cap- 
tain as the commanding officer of the Old North company, at 
the time when there were two companies in town. 

George A. Bishop was born at North Orange, Sept. 2^, 
1836. He was for many years in the furniture manufacturing 
business in Leominster — first, in the firm of Blodgett & Bishop, 
then Bishop & Hogan. He also conducted a retail furniture 
store under the firm name of G. A. Bishop & Co. Mr. Bishop 



MANUFACTURING. 307 

was, during his life in Leominster, a prominent citizen and an 
active member of the Central Baptist church. 

He enlisted in November, 1H62, in Co. C, 53r(l Rej^dnient, 
returning at the expiration of his term of service to Leomin- 
ster. He died Dec. 4, 1878. 

The following are among the number now living, who are 
not actively engaged in business, but have in various ways con- 
tributed to the general prosperity of the community in their 
several callings : 

Isaac Cowdrkv was born in Lunenburg March 26, 181 i. 
Removing to Leominster at the age of 19, he learned the car- 
penter's trade of Samuel Heywootl. After working three years 
for Joseph Haskell and a year in Worcester, he started as a 
contractor and builder in Leominster in 1836, continuing in the 
business for a quarter of a century. In 1844 he purchased the 
land between Wood's Block and Mechanic street, including 
Luke Wilder's old blacksmith's shop on Monoosnock brook, on 
the site of which he built a carpenter's shop for his own use, 
making additions from time to time, and renting to other par- 
ties. His residence for several years was on the corner west of 
the shop. It overlooked the tract of land on which the railroad 
and depot were afterwards located, it then being a cow pasture 
with a pair of bars, where the Water street crossing now is. 

In 1845 he built the depot at North Leominster, and the 
two bridges below, on the l*"itchbui"g railroad, and at the invita- 
tion of Alvah Crocker, rcxle into I'Mtchburg on the first loco- 
motive that went over that road. 

From 1846 to '50 Mr. Covvdrey was associateil with Joseph 
Haskell, doing a business of $40,000 in Clinton alone, building 
the Lancaster Town Hall, as well as several houses in Leo- 
minster, and including in their business the purchase of wood 
k)ts and getting out of lumber for building. 



308 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

In the winter of 1849 ^^^Y t)uilt all the depots, freight 
houses and bridges on the Worcester and Fitchburg railroad be- 
tween Fitchburg and Sterling Junction. 

Upon the dissolution of the co-partnership in i85oMr. Haskell 
located on the stream below Mr. Crowdrey, remaining in business 
alone. About this time, however, he became interested with J. 
C. Lane and Carter Lamb, in building a reservoir at the head 
of Monoosnock brook, near the Fitchburg line, for improving 
the water power below, and soon after, in company with Carter 
& Patch, he built the dam at the E. M. Rockwell mill ; also a 
shop which was used by James H. Carter for comb manufac- 
turing and by J. C. Lane for piano making. 

To show the changes that have since taken place in the wood 
working industries of the town, it may be of interest to state 
in this connection that in Mr. Cowdrey's shop was run the first 
Daniels' planer as well as the first cylinder planer ever operated 
in Leomister, and that when Mr. Lane began the manufacture 
of piano cases in 1845, his only machinery was a circular saw. 
For seven years Mr. Cowdrey carried on business with Joseph 
G. Tenney. The partnership dissolved in 1861, when Mr. Cow- 
drey retired permanently from business, disposing of his shop 
and privilege to Tilton & Look. 

In all these years Mr. Cowdrey has been a thorough going 
temperance man, and in the stirring times of the anti-slavery 
movement a prominent worker. He was a member of the 
Leominster Anti-Slavery Society, and also of the Anti-Man 
Hunting League. He has been a member of the First Con- 
gregational Society (Unitarian) for half a century, and of which 
he is a deacon. He was for several years on the Board of Over- 
seers of the Poor, and served the town on various building com- 
mittees at different times. 

He has been twice married, first, in the spring of 1836, to 




F-;^"'^ 




ISAAC CO/^DREY. 





MANL'FACrUKIXG. 3O9 

Catherine Whitman of Westminster. Their only daughter 
married George H, Carter of Leominster, and they now hve in 
Springfield, Mass. Seeond, in June, i.S/S, to Serena N. Fisk, 
of North Leominster. For the past four years their home has 
heen in North Leominster. 

John Dickev was born in Londonderry, N. H., Feb. 13, 
1824. He attended school at Pinkerton, Derry, N. H., for sev- 
eral years after engaging in farming and lumbering, and in the 
winters school teaching. During those years he was interested 
in town affairs, holding the office of Town Clerk for a quarter 
of a century, and serving on the Board of Selectmen for four 
years. He represented his town in the Legislature in 1860-61, 
and in 1876 was a member of the convention for revising the 
constitution of the State. He has been for some time inter- 
ested in collecting information for a genealogy of the original 
settlers of Derry, the Dickey family. 

S. S. Crocker was born Oct. 30, 18 13, in North Leominster. 
Lie was the seventh son of Samujl Crocker, and a brother of 
Alvah Crocker. Lie began wjrk in the paper mill at 10 years 
of age, and at 16 entered the employ of his brother Alvah in 
West Fitchburg. Here he rem lined for two years, after which 
he learned the carpenter trade of Justin Stearns and engaged 
in millwright work for a time. He purchased in 1839 the water 
power of what is now the Crocker, Hurb.ink & Co's upper mill. 
(This mill was burned and afterwards rebuilt by Mr. Crocker.) 
In 1853 he sold his mill to Benjamin Snow, Jr., and moved to 
Lawrence, Mass., and built the first piper mill in that place. 
After twelve years he returne J to his native town, and in 1865 
built the Crocker Woolen Mill, the history of which is given in 
the manufacturing chapter. Upon giving up the woolen busi- 
ness, he became associated with his eldest son Daniel, in the 
Crocker Manufacturing Co. of Holyoke, in the piper business, 



3IO LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

buying up the majority of the stock, so that it is now large]y 
owned in the family. Mr. Crocker is president of the com- 
pany. Daniel Crocker acted as clerk and Treasurer until his 
death in Feb. 1887, since which time Clifton Alvah, the young- 
est son, has filled that position. His other surviving son, 
Frederick William, enlisted with his brother in the 
famous Si.xth Massachusetts Regiment, accompanying his 
regiment through Baltimore and to the seat of war. He had 
been but six months in the service when he received an appoint- 
ment to the naval school at Newport, R. I., where it had been 
been removed from Annapolis temporarily. After the close of 
the war the school was again located in Annapolis, where he 
finished his studies. He has worked his way up through the 
different grades of the naval service, until he is now Lieutenant- 
Commander. He has visited nearly every country of the habit- 
able globe, and is now preparing to ship from San Francisco on 
the U. S. Ship Mohegan for Japan or China, the vessel not hav- 
ing received full orders. 

Mr. Crocker was one of the constituent members of the 
Baptist Church in Fitchburg, a deacon of the First Baptist 
Church in Lawrence, afterward of the Second Baptist Church 
in that place. He also held the same office in the Central 
Baptist church in Leominster. Dea. Crocker has been a con- 
stant attendant at Sunday school for seventy years, serving 
either as superintendent or teacher most of that time. 

Porter Piper was born in Ivoyalston in April 2nd, 1810, 
and lived on a farm in that town until he was seventeen years 
of age, when he went to Templeton to work in a woolen mill ; 
afterward to Fitchburg to work at the same business, remaining 
in each place about three years. 

Mr. Piper then opened a variety store, remaining in that 
business about ten years, after which he bought one-quarter in- 



MANL'FACTURIXG, 3II 

tercst in the Fitchburj; Woolen Mill, and sold uul Id William 
1 1. Vose in 1S4.S. 

In 1X40 Mr. I'iper was chosen director in the l-'itchl:ur<^ 
l^ank, anil hekl that position until 1870, and was also trustee in 
the Savings Bank quite a number of years. In 1850 he came 
to Leominster and was in company with Gardner & Augustus 
Morse in the comb business for a short time. In 1852 was 
clioson treasurer of Leominster and re-chosen annually until 
iS')6. His business in Leominster has been varied, farming in 
a small way and various other occupations. 

1'"ri;di:rick W'. Mld.'^ox was born in Leominster, Nov. 4, 
1S18, where he has been most of his life engaged in business. 
He was for some time in the employ of Lockey & Hovvland, in 
the manufacture of apple parers, afterwards engaging in the 
business alone, and with his son, Charles E., until iSSi, when 
he retired permanently from business. 

E. J. Mak.sh was born in Cabot, Vt., March 21, 1811. At 
the age of 15 he went to Randolph, Vt., and boarded with Wm. 
Nutting, Esq., doing chi')res for his board and tuition. He 
taught district schools in his own and other towns, and in 1833 
graduate J at MidJlebury College. He taught thj Academy at 
Jericho, Vt., the two succeeding years, and then entered the 
Seminary at Andover, Mass., but was soon compelled to leave 
iin account of poor health. In the fall of 1836 he took charge 
• f the High School at Concord, Mass., for one vear. He also 
taught the Academy at Thetford, Vt. He then taught five 
years at Milton, Mass., two years at Dorchester and eight years 
in Groton Lawrence Academy, but his health again failing, he 
gave up teaching and moved to Leominster in 1855, where some 
five vears later he purchasetl a farm on the road to Fitchburg, a 
mile from the Centre, where he now lives. 

As to his success as a teacher, it is only necessar\ i" -laic 



312 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

that Mr. Marsh fitted a hundred students for college, and that 
not one failed to be admitted without "conditions." 

Stephen Austin Miller, son of Joseph and Zipporah 
(Ellis) Miller, was born in Ashburnham July ist, 1819, removed 
to Leominster April, 1854, and in company with Oliver G. 
Caldwell, commenced the maanufacture of tubs and pails, at 
the place on Lancaster street, now known as the fork factory. 
In the spring of i860 their shop was burned, and they removed 
their business to Water street ; in i 870 they were burned out 
there ; they rebuilt and started again. 

The firm was known as Caldwell & Miller, for about twenty 
years, when Mr. Caldwell was succeeded by his son-in-law J. W. 
H. Lawrence, and the firm became Miller & Lawrence. Their 
shop was burned July ist, 1887; they built up, and started 
business once more, but on account of ill health Mr. Miller did 
not wish to continue it, and the business was closed up in the 
spring of 1888, and the shop rented to the Leominster Rattan 
Company. Mr. Miller served on the Board of Selectmen in 
1867-68-69 — the last year as chairman. 

Alanson Richardson is a native of Orange, born March 
26, 1820. When he was 4 years of age his parents moved to 
Athol, and at the age of 17 he came to Leominster, where he 
worked on the farm with his father and taught school six win- 
ters. He learned the comb-maker's trade of A. B. Gibson. He 
was one of the original members of the firm of B. F. Blodgett 
& Co., and was afterwards engaged with his son Arthur A., in 
the manufacture of horn buttons. Mr. Richardson has served 
the town as a member of the School Committee. He was two 
years on the Board of Overseers of the Poor, nearly twenty 
years on the Board of Assessors, which office he now holds, 
for six years on the Board of Selectmen, and in 1855 represented 
the town in the Legislature. 




STEPHEN A. MILLER. 



MANUFACTURING. 313 

William B. Whitney was born Aug. 23, 1841, in West- 
minster, Mass. He came to Leominster in 1853 and attended 
school two years. He was then employed in Mr. J. H. Lockey's 
piano shop until the hard times of 1857. He then entered the 
employ of F. W. & V. A. Whitney, in the children's carriage 
business, where he remained until the breaking out of the war, 
when he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 15th Mass. Vols. ; was 
taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21, 1.S61, and after being 
held a prisoner in Richmond about five months, was exchanged 
and returned to his regiment at the front ; was again taken 
prisoner on the last day of McClellan's retreat from Richmond. 
He was sent to Bell Island and held prisoner one month ; was 
then exchanged, sent north and discharged for disability. A 
few months later he re-enlisted in the Mass. Heavy Artillery, 
and served until the close of the war. Returning to Leomin- 
ster, he again entered the employ of F. W. & F. A. Whitney, 
When the Whitney Carriage Company was formed, he became 
a stockholder, and acted as superintendent of an important 
department of the business until July ist, 1886, when he was 
obliged to retire on account of impaired health. 

Sumner M. Frost was born in Orange, Mass., Jan. 28, 
1841. His family moved to Phillipston, Mass., when he was two 
years old. In 1858 he came to Leominster and entered the 
employ of F. W. & F. A. Whitney, remaining for a few months. 
Afterwards engaged in different kinds of employment until the 
breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the 15th Mass. 
regiment. He was captured at the battle of Ball's Bluff, was a 
prisoner at Libby and Salisbury for a little over seven months, 
when he was paroled and discharged for disability. Later on 
was drafted and exempted, and in 1864 re-enlisted this time 
in the 4th Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of hos- 
tilities. Returning to Leominster, he, in 1865, entered the 

3U 



314 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE, 

employ of F. A. Whitney, and continued until he became a 
member of the F. A. Whitney Carriage Co., from which he re- 
tired in 1885. 

Fran'cis H. Shaw was born in the town of West Spring- 
field, Mass., March 30, 1833, where he resided until he was 9 
years old, when he removed to Blandf ord, Mass. At the age of 
16, he was apprenticed to Silas Cook, of Springfield, Mass., for 
a term of three years, to learn the carpenter's trade. Having 
completed his apprenticeship, he went to Montague, Mass., 
where, for four years, he was engaged in veneering piano-forte 
cases. He next moved to Leominster, and entered the employ 
of J. C. Lane on piano-forte case work. The " hard times" of 
1857 making business in that line very dull, he moved West 
and located in Mendota, 111., where he engaged in the manufac- 
ture and sale of furniture. 

On August 26, 185 I he enlisted for three years in the U. S. 
volunteer infantry, and was assigned to the 55th Illinois regi- 
ment, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was soon promoted 
to the rank of captain. 

In 1866 he returned to Leominster, and has since then been 
engaged in piano-forte work and in the manufacture of children's 
carriages, retiring from the F. A. Whitney Carriage company 
July I, 1888. 

J. W. H. Lawrence is a native of Concord, Mass., where 
he was born Sept. 14, 1837. At the age of 18 years he went 
to Milford, Mass., and served three years at the carpenter's 
trade. He returned to Concord in 1861, but in 1865 removed 
to Leominster and entered the employ of Blodgett & Bishop, 
working at the cabinet business for them and other parties un- 
til 1874, when, upon the retirement of Mr. Caldwell, he formed 
a co-partnership with Mr. S. A. Miller in the manufacture of 





WM. B. WHITNEY. 



SUMNER M. FROST. 





FRANCIS H. SHA«V. 



MANUFACTURING. 315 

wooden ware. The business was discontinued in the sprinj^ uf 
i88<S, the firm still ownini^ the property. 

CLAKi:Ncr: Kexnf.v is the youngest son of Tiniothy 1'. and 
Louisa C, and brother of Clesson Kenney, of the firm of Ten- 
ney & KenncN. He was horn in Leominster March I5lh, i(S42. 
For several years he was engaged witii Look & Damon in the 
manufacture of horn goods. Later, he was for some years a 
member of the firm of Foster Bros. & Kenney, grocers, etc. 
Mr. Kenney is gifted with superior musical talent, and is es- 
teemed as one of the best bassos in this region. lie was for 
many years the center of a musical circle in Leominster ; and 
for eighteen years has held the i:)osition of chorister in the 
Orthodox Congregational Church. \u i<S68 he married Lizzie 
C, only child of William M. and Louisa S. Hovvland, of Leo- 
minster, by whom he has one son, William Ilowland, a youth 
of 17, who fills very acceptably the position of leading basso in 
the Baptist Church. 

William Booth was born in Royton, Old England, Aug. 
25, 1829. He came to America in the ship Soldan, with his 
father and family, landing in Boston July 28, 1848, after a six 
weeks passage. He first obtained employment in the cotton 
mills of Millbury and Xorthboro, Mass., afterwards serving three 
years at the comb makers' trade with Samuel Gibsoii, of 
Xorthboro. 

Coming to Leominster, he worked at the same business for 
Gardner Morse until 1861. He then entered the employ of 
the India Rubber Comb Co. at College Point. L. I, remaining 
fifteen years. He spent a year in experimenting for the Cellu- 
loid Brush Co., in Leominster, of which company he was after- 
wards Superintendent for seven years, both in Leominster and 
Xewark, Xew Jersey, after which he was with the Merchants 
Mfg. Co., also of Xewark, as manager, and after a year bought 



3l6 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 

them out, the firm then being Wm. Booth & Co. 

Since 1884, Mr. Booth has manufactured Celluloid goods in 
Leominster, together with A. (i. Morse and alone, and was for 
a year and a half with J. Wm. Wetherbee in the eye-glass bus- 
iness. 

During the past year he has been engaged with Professor 
Carmichael of Boston experimenting on wood fibre as a substi- 
tute for Celluloid, with such success that the Duralite Manu- 
facturing Company has just been formed with a paid up capital 
of $25,000 for the manufacture of these goods in Leominster. 
The officers of the Company are : John E. Toulmin, Prest.; F. 
C. Bryant, Treas.; J. C. Smith, Sec; J. H. P^mery, General 
Manager ; Henry Carmichael, chemist ; Wm. Booth, Supt. 

Mr. Booth is a thorough mechanic and the inventor of num- 
erous valuable machinery and process patents, in connection 
with the different kinds of business in which he has been en- 
gaged. 

August 16, 1854, he was married to Elvira, daughter of 
Arnold, and sister of Gardner and Augustus Morse. Their 
son, Austin W., is also a resident of Leominster. 

The following are well known Leominster men who are 
either engaged in business or reside elsewhere. 

Rev.- Eli Fay, D. D., now a resident and prominent citizen 
of Los Angeles, California, is remembered with pleasing recol- 
lections as the pastor of the Unitarian parish more than a 
quarter of a century ago. As may be inferred from a previous 
chapter, Mr. P'ay was one of the most patriotic men that lived 
in Leominster during the war. From Leominster he removed 
to Newton and then went to Europe, where he was settled over a 
parish. Before leaving, he placed the small sum of $700 saved 
from his yearly salary, with Mr. Tyler, brother-in-law of N. 



MANUFACTURING. .. 31/ 

Marvvood, who invested it in Calumet and llecla mininj^ st(jck. 
This stock accumulated for him 1^23,000 when it was sold. 

Returning- to this country about the time the land boom wa.s 
goiui; on in Kansas City, he invested his money inland within the 
city limits, and later on withdrew his largely increased capital 
and invested it in California. This also proved a fortunate 
venture, and so far as this world's goods are concerned, the 
good wishes of Leominster people for their former townsman 
have been more than realized. His recent proposition to give 
to the Unitarian denomination $750,000 towards establishing a 
female seminary in Massachusetts shows that his zeal for noble 
work has not abated, and that he holds the same warm attach- 
ment for the Old Ba}' State and her institutions as of old. 

Naiii.wikl Goodwin Wood, son of Merrittand grandson of 
Nathaniel Goodwin Wood, was born in Leominster, Dec. 5, 
1824. He went early into the jewelry business, first with 
Moses Wood for a time ; then engaged with Wm. P. McKay & 
Co., of Boston, to finish his trade and learn the general busi- 
ness ; he remained with them about three years, after which he 
went to Saco, Me., establishing first a jewelry store on Factory 
Island, so called, and after about eighteen months established 
another store in Biddeford, Me , and continued the two for about 
18 months. 

In 1848 he removed to Boston, where he has been eminently 
successful in his business, and is a man of wealth and influence. 
Although not a resident of Leominster, he is a large real estate 
owner there, the large brick business block which bears his 
name being a prominent landmark in the business center. 

Mr. Wood's father was for many years a well-known and 
respected citizen of this town, where he died Nov. 3, 1873. 
Mrs. Martha L. Holt, the only surviving daughter, resides in 
Leominster. 



3l8 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE, 

T. B. Grimes was born in Hubbardston, Mass., April 22, 
1844. Came to Leominster in May, 1869, and after working 
for Wilder & Hills two years and seven months, started in the 
dry goods business for himself in 1871, in Allen's new block, 
continuing until July, 1884, when he removed to East Boston, 
where he is engaged in the same kind of business. 

J. F. Chaffin is a native of Oxford, Maine. He removed 
to Leominster in 1859. remaining until the breaking out of the 
war, when he enlisted Oct., 1861, in the 23rd Mass. regiment 
as a musician. When the regimental bands were disbanded by 
act of congress, he was made forage master of the 3rd division, 
3rd army corps, then stationed at the corps headquarters of 
Gen. Sickles. He afterward re-enlisted in the band organized 
by P. S. Gilmore for service in the Gulf States. 

He was mustered out of the service at New Orleans in Aug., 
1865, returned to Leominster, where he remained until 1878, 
working at the piano and cabinet business, and also taught sing- 
ing school evenings. He was a charter member of Post 53, G. 
A. R., and its first adjutant. 

Since 1878 Mr. Chaffin has resided in Fitchburg, and is pro- 
prietor of a large music store in that city. 

Frank H. Pope, of Boston "Globe" editorial staff, born at 
Sandwich, Mass., March 7, 1854. Was a student at the Sand- 
wich Academy, and at Dean Academy, Franklin, Mass. Moved 
to Marlboro in July, 1872, and was connected with the furni- 
ture trade until 1877, and from that time until 1881 was con- 
nected with the stage and platform, with the latter as a dramatic 
reader and delineator. Was for three seasons the " leading 
man" of "Your Versatile Guests," which was managed by the 
New York Literary Bureau, and played West and South. Du- 
ring the summer seasons he did reportorial work for the Marl- 
borough Times, edited the Northboro Farmer, and did special 






CLIFTON A. CROCKER. 




JOEL G. TYLER 






OR. 0. P. RICHARDSON. 



MANUFACTURIN'O. ^IQ 

work for the lioston papers. l"'rom October, 1877, Mr. Pope 
made Northboro his home, although away from the town most 
of the time. July 12, iSSi.he became an attache of the Bos- 
ton Globe, with which paper he is yet connected. In August, 
1.S82, the subject of this sketch moved to Leominster. 

B. Marshall Pitts, son of Hiram W. and Mary A. Pitts, 
since 1882 proprietor of Pitts' Mill in Fitchburg, and engaged 
in the manufacture of cotton and carpet warps. Reference is 
made to Mr. Pitts in the sketch of his father. 

WiLiiiR B. Tennev, son of Joseph G. Tenney, was for a 
little over nine years connected with the First National Bank 
of Leominster as bookkeeper and teller. He went to Fitch- 
burg in 1 88 1 to take the position of cashier in the Rollstone 
National Bank, is also a director in this bank, a trustee of Je- 
rusalem Commandery Knight Templars and treasurer of. the 
Fitchburg Home for Old Ladies. 

Joel G. Tvler, son of J. J. Tyler, is a native of Leomin- 
ster. He was a bookeeper for the Arlington Piano Co., Ken- 
dall, Lockey & Co., and others in Leominster, and for C. M. 
Converse in Fitchburg. In 1882 he took the position of book- 
keeper in the Safety Fund National Bank, and has been teller 
in that institution since May, 1888. 

Fra.ncis H. Colrurx, son of Jonas Colburn, now engaged 
in the carpet, crockery and furnishing goods business in the 
firm of L. Sprague & Co., I-ltchburg. 

LoREN Seaks, for some four years in the dry goods business 
in Leominster, a dealer in wall paper in l-'itchburg. 

James C. Brooks, president and manager of the Oconto 
Lumber Co., Oconto, Wisconsin, with an otTice in Chicago, is a 
son of Sarah Carter, of Leominster, 



t 



320 LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL ANt) PICTURESQUE. 

Henry Jackson, for twenty-one years town and city clerk, 
and present city auditor of Fitchburg. 

vjeo. Robbins, who, since 1854, has been engaged in the 
gas fitting and plumbing business, also in Fitchburg, and was 
its seventh mayor. 

Geo. Reed, who was for seven years chief of the Fitch- 
burg Fire department. 

The late William H. Vose, for many years a prominent 
woolen manufacturer in Fitchburg, and the fifth mayor of that 
city, was also a native of Leominster. 






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